TEST HIT FOR SIX

THE return of Test cricket to Hobart in November looks unlikely after the federal government last night withdrew its support for the game between Australia and Afghanistan.

The move comes after a Taliban spokesman confirmed the returning hardline regime would not support women playing sport, including cricket.

Federal sports minister, Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck, said this stance was unacceptable

“The Taliban’s attitudes towards women and their individual rights should not be accepted by the international sporting community,” he said.

It is five years since Tasmania hosted a Test match.

HOBART’S historic AustraliaAfghanistan Test is almost certain to be scrapped after the federal government withdrew its support for the game to proceed.

The move comes after a Taliban spokesman confirmed the returning hardline Islamist regime would not support women playing sport, including cricket. It is one of the key requirements for the International Cricket Council to grant a nation Test match status.

Federal Sports Minister, Tasmanian Senator Richard Colbeck, late last night said this stance was unacceptable and called on the International Cricket Council to take a stance against Afghanistan.

Although the Test match scheduled for late November – Tasmania’s first in five years – has not yet been cancelled, it is difficult to see it proceeding without federal government support.

“The Australian government is deeply concerned about reports the Taliban in Afghanistan will ban women playing sport,” Mr Colbeck said.

“Excluding women from sport at any level is unacceptable.

“We urge international sport authorities, including the International Cricket Council, to take a stand against this appalling ruling.

“The Taliban’s attitudes towards women and their individual rights should not be accepted by the international sporting community.

“We stand behind the individual sportsmen and women of Afghanistan who have competed with great pride, particularly at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. They will remain welcome in our country but not under the flag of the Taliban.”

Earlier, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley conceded there was a “real consideration” cricket would take a unilateral decision over the treatment of female players.

“We are working and in regular contact with the ICC and the Australian government and we will take our lead from them,’’ Mr Hockley said.

Questions have been raised over the event since the Taliban took over Afghanistan last month. SBS reported on Thursday the Taliban’s deputy head of culture had ruled out women playing cricket.

“I don’t think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play cricket,” Ahmadulla Wasiq said.