Mammoth chases, close contests and individual heroics: Five entertaining Hobart Tests

KIT SHEPARD takes a crawl through the history books to pick out some of the more memorable moments from Hobart's limited Test catalogue

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Test cricket returns to Hobart this Friday, with the Bellerive Oval hosting its first men's Ashes game and only its 14th Test in total.

Despite rare appearances on the circuit, the Tasmanian capital has staged some memorable encounters. It has seen fury, controversy, individual heroics and stunning upsets, played in front of spectators relishing the opportunity to watch Australia.

For Joe Root's men, there are ominous warnings, encouraging signs, and everything in between lying in Hobart's Test history. Here are five of the best moments.

1989: The Feisty Start: Australia v Sri Lanka

Australia (224 & 513-5 declared) beat Sri Lanka (216 & 348) by 173 runs

A feature of this Ashes series has been the cordial nature of the contest, with both sides putting the posturing to one side in the era of mental health awareness and a devastating pandemic.

A similarly sporting affair might have been expected when Australia hosted Sri Lanka for Hobart’s first Test in 1989. Sri Lanka, who had earned Test status eight years earlier, played the role of likeable underdogs taking on Allan Border's Ashes winners.

Yet, the joyous occasion turned sour. Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga took exception to Australia's sledging, and later likened the match to a street fight. Tensions ran high as there was physical confrontation and even allegations of racial slurs.

As for the match itself, Sri Lanka competed admirably. Second-innings centuries from Mark Taylor, Dean Jones and Steve Waugh were needed to secure a home victory after Aravinda de Silva’s 75 made a stunning upset possible at the halfway stage. The result gave Australia a 1-0 series victory, and Hobart was off to quite the start.

1999: Gilchrist arrives, Langer lies

Australia (246 & 369-6) beat Pakistan (222 & 392) by 4 wickets

Justin Langer will have fond memories of Hobart. Chasing 369 for a series-clinching victory over Pakistan in 1999, the current Australia head coach was at the other end when Wasim Akram removed Ricky Ponting for a duck to leave the hosts 126 for 5. He was joined at the crease by Adam Gilchrist, who was playing in just his second Test.

What followed was the first chapter in one of the great Test careers. Gilchrist, who had enjoyed success in Australia's ODI team, played his naturally destructive game, smashing an unbeaten 149 off 163 balls to power his country to victory by four wickets. The final piece to Steve Waugh's legendary Australia side had arrived.

Langer played his part, making 127 and putting on 238 with Gilchrist to take Australia to the brink of victory.

There was controversy, as Pakistan were convinced they had Langer caught behind on 76, with the top order batter initially attributing the noise that sparked the appeal to a "clicky bat handle". In 2016, speaking to cricket.com.au, Langer admitted: "Straight up, I smashed it".

The confession will provide little solace to a superb Pakistan bowling attack. Akram and Waqar Younis were accompanied by speedster Shoaib Akhtar and spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who took 6 for 46 in the first innings.

Yet, for all the drama, this Hobart classic belonged to an inexperienced wicketkeeper more known for his exploits in the shorter formats. What better inspiration for Sam Billings 22 years on?

2007: Sangakkara marathon not enough

Australia (542-5 declared & 210-2 declared) beat Sri Lanka (246 & 410) by 96 runs

For four days, this was a typically ruthless Australian performance in the dying days of their dominance. They amassed a huge lead, declined to enforce the follow-on, and handled Muttiah Muralitharan almost as comfortably as the current squad have played Jack Leach.

Then came Kumar Sangakkara's epic 192. As long as he was at the crease, Sri Lanka had the smallest glimmer of hope in their pursuit of 507. He appeared to have found an unlikely partner in Lasith Malinga, as the pair put on 74 for the ninth wicket before Sangakkara was caught by Ponting. Sangakkara was distraught as he walked off, and replays showing the ball come off his shoulder explained why.

Their talisman wrongly dismissed; Sri Lanka fell to a 96-run defeat. Would they have won without that stroke of misfortune? Probably not, but with Malinga left not out on 42, it is tempting to imagine what might have been.

2011: Bracewell breaches fortress Hobart

New Zealand (150 & 226) beat Australia (136 & 233) by 7 runs

By 2011, Australia were unbeaten in the nine matches played at the Bellerive Oval. The 10th Test looked set to follow that trend, as New Zealand were skittled for 150 in the first innings.

Yet, unlike most previous Hobart games, this was one for the bowlers. Chris Martin, Doug Bracewell and debutant Trent Boult took three wickets each to give the tourists a 14-run lead, before a battling 56 from Ross Taylor helped the Black Caps set a target of 241.

Australian reached 159 for 2 and appeared to be cruising, but Bracewell had other ideas. He dismissed Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey without a run being scored, his accurate seam drawing loose shots from Australia's experienced batters. The 21-year-old subsequently cleaned up the tail in the nick of time, bowling Nathan Lyon to snatch a seven-run victory and finish with 6 for 40. David Warner’s unbeaten 123 was in vain.

In many ways, this match was an anomaly. Bracewell has only one other test five-fer, and the win is New Zealand’s only victory in Australia since 1985. Clearly, and encouragingly for England, strange things can happen in Hobart.

2016: Philander and Abbott wreak havoc

South Africa (326) beat Australia (85 & 161) by an innings and 80 runs

Australia's most recent Test memories of Hobert offer further positive signs for Root and his barrage of right-arm, fast-medium bowlers.

In chilly Tasmanian conditions, Vernon Philander's steady but accurate seam tore through the hosts' batting line-up, which included Warner, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. Philander finished with 5 for 21 as Australia were all out for 85.

After a Quinton de Kock hundred, Kyle Abbott, another quick who relied more on movement than pace, took 6 for 77 as South Africa wrapped up a 2-0 series win.

The Proteas triumph suggested that the express pace associated with success on mainland Australia is less important in Tasmania.

If the likes of Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson and Chris Woakes can summon one last effort before the flight home, England might just be able to end their 11-year winless run down under.

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