Hobart's Test history: Gilchrist's stunner, Sangakkara's special and a New Zealand thriller
Australia's most recent visit to the ground was not a happy one
Andrew McGlashan
11-Jan-2022
Tim May and Shane Warne after their matchwinning double act against New Zealand in 1993 • Getty Images
After a switch of venues caused by border restrictions, Test cricket returns to Hobart for the first time in five years. Here's a look back at the history of Bellerive Oval in the format, and those who have starred.
1989: Beat Sri Lanka by 173 runs
The first innings of this contest were very even with Rumesh Ratnayake taking a career-best 6 for 66 to keep Australia to 224. Roshan Mahanama and Aravinda de Silva took Sri Lanka to 146 for 3 in reply, but they lost their last seven wickets for 70. Mark Taylor's century set up the second innings before Dean Jones and Steve Waugh feasted on the Sri Lankan bowling in an unbroken stand of 260. However, Sri Lanka fought hard to try and save the game through half-centuries from Aravinda de Silva, Asoka de Silva and Ravi Ratnayeke. It took until the final session, as they lost 4 for 16, for the match to be decided.
The first innings of this contest were very even with Rumesh Ratnayake taking a career-best 6 for 66 to keep Australia to 224. Roshan Mahanama and Aravinda de Silva took Sri Lanka to 146 for 3 in reply, but they lost their last seven wickets for 70. Mark Taylor's century set up the second innings before Dean Jones and Steve Waugh feasted on the Sri Lankan bowling in an unbroken stand of 260. However, Sri Lanka fought hard to try and save the game through half-centuries from Aravinda de Silva, Asoka de Silva and Ravi Ratnayeke. It took until the final session, as they lost 4 for 16, for the match to be decided.
1993: Beat New Zealand by an innings and 222 runs
This was an almighty thrashing. New Zealand's bowling was shredded by centuries from Michael Slater (168), local hero David Boon (106) and Mark Waugh (111). They were then spun to defeat by Shane Warne and Tim May, as the pair combined to take 16 wickets; May with a five-wicket haul in the first innings and Warne with 6 for 31 in the second.
This was an almighty thrashing. New Zealand's bowling was shredded by centuries from Michael Slater (168), local hero David Boon (106) and Mark Waugh (111). They were then spun to defeat by Shane Warne and Tim May, as the pair combined to take 16 wickets; May with a five-wicket haul in the first innings and Warne with 6 for 31 in the second.
1995: Beat Pakistan by 155 runs
Australia overcame the loss of Warne to a broken toe to seal an emphatic victory although at times they were made to work for it. Only Mark Waugh dominated in the first innings as Mushtaq Ahmed took five wickets before Craig McDermott, Glenn McGrath and Paul Reiffel earned a lead of 69. Taylor and Slater then took the game away with an opening stand of 120 with Taylor going on to make 123. Though Pakistan fought back, a target of 376 was well out of reach as McGrath took 5 for 61 on the fourth day.
Australia overcame the loss of Warne to a broken toe to seal an emphatic victory although at times they were made to work for it. Only Mark Waugh dominated in the first innings as Mushtaq Ahmed took five wickets before Craig McDermott, Glenn McGrath and Paul Reiffel earned a lead of 69. Taylor and Slater then took the game away with an opening stand of 120 with Taylor going on to make 123. Though Pakistan fought back, a target of 376 was well out of reach as McGrath took 5 for 61 on the fourth day.
1997: Drew with New Zealand
Inventive captaincy from Stephen Fleming produced a grandstand finish in a game that could have drifted nowhere due to the weather. New Zealand had done well to keep Australia to 400 after they were 238 for 1. Then Matt Horne's 133 dominated the reply. On the fourth evening, Fleming declared 149 behind to open up the game before Taylor played it rather safe by setting 288 in two sessions. When Horne and Nathan Astle raced out of the blocks it seemed a chance, but Warne worked through the middle order and it looked like Australia would take victory, only for last pair Simon Doull and Shayne O'Connor to hold out for 38 minutes.
Inventive captaincy from Stephen Fleming produced a grandstand finish in a game that could have drifted nowhere due to the weather. New Zealand had done well to keep Australia to 400 after they were 238 for 1. Then Matt Horne's 133 dominated the reply. On the fourth evening, Fleming declared 149 behind to open up the game before Taylor played it rather safe by setting 288 in two sessions. When Horne and Nathan Astle raced out of the blocks it seemed a chance, but Warne worked through the middle order and it looked like Australia would take victory, only for last pair Simon Doull and Shayne O'Connor to hold out for 38 minutes.
1999: Beat Pakistan by four wickets
One of the great run chases. Adam Gilchrist stamped his name on Test cricket in just his second game with a magnificent, unbeaten 149 which led an extraordinary turnaround after Australia had been 126 for 5 needing 369. He and Justin Langer, who Pakistan were convinced was caught behind early on the final day, added 238 in 59 overs to mark an early high point for one of Australia's great sides. Earlier in the match they had collapsed from 191 for 1 to 246 all out against Saqlain Mushtaq, then Inzamam-ul-Haq's century - ended by a spectacular slip catch by Mark Waugh - appeared to have created a match-winning position.
One of the great run chases. Adam Gilchrist stamped his name on Test cricket in just his second game with a magnificent, unbeaten 149 which led an extraordinary turnaround after Australia had been 126 for 5 needing 369. He and Justin Langer, who Pakistan were convinced was caught behind early on the final day, added 238 in 59 overs to mark an early high point for one of Australia's great sides. Earlier in the match they had collapsed from 191 for 1 to 246 all out against Saqlain Mushtaq, then Inzamam-ul-Haq's century - ended by a spectacular slip catch by Mark Waugh - appeared to have created a match-winning position.
2001: Drew with New Zealand
The game was ruined by rain and this time there was no run chase set up. Australia dominated the play that was possible with Langer and Ricky Ponting hitting centuries in a total of 558, although they did slip from 238 for 1 to 267 for 5. With the ball they chipped away between interruptions although Fleming and Craig McMillan held firm.
The game was ruined by rain and this time there was no run chase set up. Australia dominated the play that was possible with Langer and Ricky Ponting hitting centuries in a total of 558, although they did slip from 238 for 1 to 267 for 5. With the ball they chipped away between interruptions although Fleming and Craig McMillan held firm.
2005: Beat West Indies by nine wickets
The contest was basically decided on the first day when West Indies were bundled out for 149 by McGrath, Brett Lee and Stuart MacGill. However, Dwayne Bravo's second-innings hundred delayed Australia into a fifth day that was so unexpected that commentators had to rebook into their hotels. Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey took Australia into a lead on their own with an opening stand of 231, while Brad Hodge made 60 on debut. At 140 for 6 an innings win looked likely, but Bravo and Denesh Ramdin added a brilliant 182.
The contest was basically decided on the first day when West Indies were bundled out for 149 by McGrath, Brett Lee and Stuart MacGill. However, Dwayne Bravo's second-innings hundred delayed Australia into a fifth day that was so unexpected that commentators had to rebook into their hotels. Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey took Australia into a lead on their own with an opening stand of 231, while Brad Hodge made 60 on debut. At 140 for 6 an innings win looked likely, but Bravo and Denesh Ramdin added a brilliant 182.
2007: Beat Sri Lanka by 96 runs
A breathtaking innings from Kumar Sangakkara (192) made Australia sweat for victory and was only ended by a poor umpiring decision when the ball came off his shoulder. However, the home side had never been behind the game. Centuries from Phil Jaques (150) and Hussey (132) built a huge total and Sri Lanka were all out for 246 despite Mahela Jayawardene's century. Eventually set 507, they were 158 for 1 when Lee produced a superb over to remove Marvan Atapattu and Jayawardene in consecutive deliveries. From 265 for 3, Sri Lanka then lost 5 for 25 before Sangakkara's thrilling flourish.
A breathtaking innings from Kumar Sangakkara (192) made Australia sweat for victory and was only ended by a poor umpiring decision when the ball came off his shoulder. However, the home side had never been behind the game. Centuries from Phil Jaques (150) and Hussey (132) built a huge total and Sri Lanka were all out for 246 despite Mahela Jayawardene's century. Eventually set 507, they were 158 for 1 when Lee produced a superb over to remove Marvan Atapattu and Jayawardene in consecutive deliveries. From 265 for 3, Sri Lanka then lost 5 for 25 before Sangakkara's thrilling flourish.
2010: Beat Pakistan by 231 runs
A double century from Ponting - he had been dropped before scoring - was the highlight of the Test as he and Michael Clarke (166) added 352 for the fourth wicket after Australia had been 71 for 3. Salman Butt hit a hundred in reply, but Pakistan fell from 213 for 4 to 248 for 9 before the last wicket delayed Australia. Ponting fell 11 runs short of another hundred but Simon Katich reached three figures as Pakistan were set 438. Success was share between the Australia bowlers throughout - Nathan Hauritz took six wickets in the match.
A double century from Ponting - he had been dropped before scoring - was the highlight of the Test as he and Michael Clarke (166) added 352 for the fourth wicket after Australia had been 71 for 3. Salman Butt hit a hundred in reply, but Pakistan fell from 213 for 4 to 248 for 9 before the last wicket delayed Australia. Ponting fell 11 runs short of another hundred but Simon Katich reached three figures as Pakistan were set 438. Success was share between the Australia bowlers throughout - Nathan Hauritz took six wickets in the match.
2011: Lost to New Zealand by 7 runs
A thriller. Doug Bracewell's 6 for 40 bowled New Zealand to a famous victory, the final wicket coming when Nathan Lyon played on having added 34 alongside David Warner who carried his bat for 123. Australia had been 122 for 1 chasing 241 when Usman Khawaja fell to debutant Trent Boult, but it was Bracewell who changed the game when he removed Ponting, Clarke and Hussey with the score on 159. It had been nip-and-tuck throughout in a match dominated by the ball. New Zealand claimed a first-innings despite making just 150, then Ross Taylor made a vital half-century and Boult clubbed what proved a crucial 21 off 13 balls.
A thriller. Doug Bracewell's 6 for 40 bowled New Zealand to a famous victory, the final wicket coming when Nathan Lyon played on having added 34 alongside David Warner who carried his bat for 123. Australia had been 122 for 1 chasing 241 when Usman Khawaja fell to debutant Trent Boult, but it was Bracewell who changed the game when he removed Ponting, Clarke and Hussey with the score on 159. It had been nip-and-tuck throughout in a match dominated by the ball. New Zealand claimed a first-innings despite making just 150, then Ross Taylor made a vital half-century and Boult clubbed what proved a crucial 21 off 13 balls.
2012: Beat Sri Lanka by 137 runs
The margin looks comfortable, but the win was secured with just 10.4 overs remaining, when Mitchell Starc claimed his fifth after Sri Lanka reached tea on the final day with six wickets in hand. Hussey's hundred had set up the game but Tillakaratne Dilshan responded with 147, adding 161 with Angelo Mathews. Australia lost Ben Hilfenhaus to a side strain but Peter Siddle took up the burden with 5 for 54. Warner and Ed Cowan added an opening stand of 132 second time around. Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera and Mathews all dug in, while lower order clung on. However, needing four wickets in the last 19 overs, Starc got Australia home.
The margin looks comfortable, but the win was secured with just 10.4 overs remaining, when Mitchell Starc claimed his fifth after Sri Lanka reached tea on the final day with six wickets in hand. Hussey's hundred had set up the game but Tillakaratne Dilshan responded with 147, adding 161 with Angelo Mathews. Australia lost Ben Hilfenhaus to a side strain but Peter Siddle took up the burden with 5 for 54. Warner and Ed Cowan added an opening stand of 132 second time around. Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera and Mathews all dug in, while lower order clung on. However, needing four wickets in the last 19 overs, Starc got Australia home.
2015: Beat West Indies by an innings and 212 runs
The run-scoring feats of Adam Voges (269*) and Shaun Marsh (182) were the standout part of the match. They added a world-record fourth-wicket stand 449 to overwhelm West Indies, who conceded 438 runs on the opening day. Darren Bravo (108) stood tall, and largely alone, in reply. In the second innings, that role went to Kraigg Brathwaite (94), but West Indies' second innings lasted just 36.3 overs as James Pattinson took 5 for 27.
The run-scoring feats of Adam Voges (269*) and Shaun Marsh (182) were the standout part of the match. They added a world-record fourth-wicket stand 449 to overwhelm West Indies, who conceded 438 runs on the opening day. Darren Bravo (108) stood tall, and largely alone, in reply. In the second innings, that role went to Kraigg Brathwaite (94), but West Indies' second innings lasted just 36.3 overs as James Pattinson took 5 for 27.
2016: Lost to South Africa by an innings and 80 runs
A watershed defeat for Australia. They crumbled for 85 all out on the opening day - falling to 8 for 4 in the ninth over - as the moving ball again proved their undoing with Vernon Philander taking 5 for 21. From 132 for 5 in reply, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock (104) added 144 after the second day was washed out to build a match-winning lead. Australia were 129 for 2 before collapsing again, losing their last eight wickets for 32 on the fourth morning as Kyle Abbott bagged 6 for 77. "I'm embarrassed to be sitting here, to be honest with you," Steven Smith said at the post-match press conference.
A watershed defeat for Australia. They crumbled for 85 all out on the opening day - falling to 8 for 4 in the ninth over - as the moving ball again proved their undoing with Vernon Philander taking 5 for 21. From 132 for 5 in reply, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock (104) added 144 after the second day was washed out to build a match-winning lead. Australia were 129 for 2 before collapsing again, losing their last eight wickets for 32 on the fourth morning as Kyle Abbott bagged 6 for 77. "I'm embarrassed to be sitting here, to be honest with you," Steven Smith said at the post-match press conference.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo