1. Place & Identity

Situated in the suburb of Bellerive in Hobart, Tasmania, we have what was formerly known as Ninja Stadium, which today is Bellerive Oval, also in its commercial name. The venue is at the waterside by the Derwent River, which provides great scenery and a very distinct coastal ambience, which in turn forms the character of the ground.

2. Capacity and facilities.

The stadium has a capacity of 20,000, which puts it at number two in size in Tasmania behind York Park in Launceston. Also, over the years, we have seen the introduction of modern features like flood lights for day-night games and improved spectator areas, which improve the match-goers’ experience.

3. Play and End of the line.

Bellerive Oval is a field that measures approximately 175 meters in length and 135 meters in width. In terms of perimeters, we see that at the leg side it is about 63 meters, at the off side 72 meters and a straight run up to almost 96 meters. Also referred to as the Church St End and River End, the name of the latter, which is a rather unique feature, is a reference to the nearby river breeze.

4. Home Teams and Past Matches.

In 1988, we saw the introduction of One Day Internationals, and in 1989, Test matches returned. Over the years, it has been a regular host to both major domestic and international games.

5. Present Behaviour Play Strategy.

Batter’s paradise is what Bellerive is known to be as the match goes on. While bowlers may get some early purchase off the pitch, which is also a result of the Derwent’s wind, as the game progresses, the surface plays out in favour of the batsmen. Teams that win the toss go for the bat rather than the ball, as the stats say the first innings put up better scores.

6. Report of performance results.

In T20 events at that ground, the average first innings score is in the mid 140s, which also sees a drop a bit in the second innings, which in turn reflects that the run chase is under pressure. In Test cricket, we saw an average first innings total of around mid-350s, with a best performance that went over 580. These results point out the field’s tendency for large scores.

7. Weather and Climate Impact.

At the coast where Bellerive Oval is situated, the weather plays a role in the matches held there. From the Derwent River comes a sea breeze, which at times will present movement for bowlers at the start of play, though by and large it does not remain a major issue as the match goes on. Also, we see rain and cooler temps, which at times disrupt play, so teams that compete here prepare for changeable conditions.

8. What stands out.

Bellerive Oval’s draw is in the mix of close, in which the crowd is put right in the action due to the stadium’s size, the beautiful riverside setting, and the fact that it hosts a variety of balanced matches, which do in fact favour the bat. Also, for international play and Big Bash League action, it is a hit. We have seen many a great moment there.

Bellerive Oval (Ninja Stadium) is still the heart of Tasmanian sports. It is a characterful venue, has great infrastructure, and serves as a very reliable base for both cricket and football under very pleasant settings.