Cricket carols a sure hit

ACTOR John X, left, and Hurricanes skipper George Bailey will be singing the same tune when Blundstone Arena lights up on Christmas Eve. Cricket Tasmania is planning the biggest carols event in Hobart — straight after the Hobart Hurricanes play the Melbourne Stars in a Big Bash blockbuster.

BLUNDSTONE Arena will host the largest Christmas carols event seen in Hobart with Cricket Tasmania hoping to build a tradition on the back of its Big Bash success.

Cricket fans at the Christmas Eve blockbuster Twenty20 clash this year between the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars can stick around after the game finishes with the carols to begin about 7pm.

The carols will be headlined by John X and his band The Croons as well as Mathew Ives and his Big Band plus three cast members from the hit Theatre Royal production of We Will Rock You. Cricket Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes hope the blockbuster event becomes a Christmas tradition.

Cricket Tasmania chief executive Nick Cummins said patrons’ Big Bash tickets would give them entry to the game and the carols, which are expected to run for about an hour.

“We want to be the home of Christmas carols in Hobart,” Mr Cummins said.

“Hobart has been trying to find a home for the carols and we think this will be a great way to bring the people of Hobart together.”

Mr Cummins said between 10,000 to 14,000 fans were expected at the game.

The bands will perform on the ground with families invited to sit on a section of the hallowed turf. X said he was over the moon to be asked to play at the carols. “I am a massive cricket fan and a big carols event like this, in a massive venue has not happened for a few years,” he said.

The Hurricanes will also announce today that Tassal has become its principal partner under a new deal.