Tasmanian cricket fans are being urged to secure their tickets for Bellerive Oval's historic VB Series one-day international cricket match between Australia and England on Saturday 11 January 2003.

The match celebrates the reopening of the redeveloped Bellerive Oval and will be the first ever played between Australia and England in Tasmania. The Oval will be officially reopened at a gala function in the Tasmanian Cricket Association's new corporate facilities on the evening prior to the match.

So far, pre-match sales of reserved seating, general admission, corporate and official guests, plus TCA members total almost 10,000. This leaves around 6,000 tickets still available for purchase.

TCA Chief Executive David Johnston said interest in the match was unprecedented and he urged people to book their tickets to avoid disappointment.

"It will be a great occasion and tickets have already been sold to people coming from the United Kingdom and the United States, all Australian States and all regions of Tasmania," Mr Johnston said.

"As well, we have guests coming from the Marylebone Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council and the Australian Cricket Board, plus national and international media to cover the celebrations and the game."

The TCA is planning to further increase seating at the ground with a temporary grandstand to be erected between the Southern and Western Stands.

"With the extra seats, other seating and the two hill areas, there are 6,000 tickets still available for the match," Mr Johnston said.

"Inquiries are increasing each day and cricket fans are well advised to secure their tickets early."

TCA and Australian Cricket Board Director Tony Harrison said the normal ACB full refund conditions applied on all sales, so there was no risk for people buying tickets early.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for Tasmania. For one day in January, the focus of international cricket will be on Bellerive Oval and Hobart, with the game telecast throughout Australia, in the United Kingdom and to potentially hundreds of millions of viewers around the world," Mr Harrison said.

"Undoubtedly, the reopening of our redeveloped ground, world one-day champions Australia playing the old enemy England, a big crowd and great atmosphere, will result in multi-million dollar publicity for Tasmania.

"As an added bonus, Tasmania's own Ricky Ponting will captain the Australian team for the first time on home soil, so we don't want to let him down.

"Tasmanian cricket fans should get their tickets early to ensure that they can be part of this big day. Providing an opportunity to see an historic cricket match, tickets would make a great Christmas present for any cricket fan"

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster 7, telephone 13 61 00, or via the website: www.ticketmaster7.com

© 2002 Tasmanian Cricket Association

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.