Gabba Test set to become opening contest on the summer again
The Gabba is on the verge of bringing the first Test of the Australian summer back to Brisbane.
The Courier-Mail can reveal high-level talks between cricket powerbrokers and government officials on Thursday took the Gabba a step closer to regaining its desired Test.
The Gabba is expected to host the first Test of the 2019-20 summer against Pakistan in a possible day-night fixture.
Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia officials met state sports minister Mick de Brenni during play between Australia and Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Australia has not lost a Test at the Gabba since 1988 and the ground had become the spiritual home of the start of the summer.
But the ageing stadium was overlooked for a blue-chip Test against India this summer, a decision which backfired when Australia lost the series 2-1.
Queensland Cricket is also lobbying for improvements to the Gabba, Allan Border Field and the creation of a National Cricket Campus in Brisbane.
Queensland Cricket chief executive Max Walters said Thursday’s meeting was promising.
“It was very positive,” he said.
“The minister (de Brenni) gave us a fantastic download of how he sees things and the how the staging of improvements can go. We’re right on that page.
“He knows we want to work with him and one of our big issues is the first Test at the Gabba. We’re quietly confident that could come to fruition.
“(Cricket Australia) know the importance of the wicket and freely said to us they’d love it to be back here.”
Queensland Cricket believes the Gabba upgrades must be made in conjunction with the other developments and introduction of Cross River Rail.
De Brenni said the government smoked the peace pipe with Cricket Australia after being robbed of a Test against India.
“Queenslanders love their cricket and the Gabba is one of the best stadiums for Test cricket in Australia — let’s be clear on that,” he said.
“It’s a formidable fortress feared by our international opponents.
“Today we are resetting the relationship with cricket at the elite level because we all agree that the first Test of the 2019-20 summer belongs here at The Gabba, its rightful home.
“Future investment at the Gabba must be in line with the recommendations of the Stadiums Taskforce report, which outlines specific investment criteria and the need to develop a definitive plan in partnership with cricket.”
Queensland Cricket chairman Sal Vasta was applauded at a function on Thursday night when he declared the Gabba wanted its Test back.
“Queensland Cricket is hopeful the Gabba will regain its traditional place as host of the first Test of the summer,” he said.
“We hope pink ball cricket continues to play a significant role in ongoing Test matches at this venue because that’s what our fans love.
“While we admit the Gabba doesn’t possess some of the modern amenities when compared with some of the newer stadiums, we believe the future is very promising.”
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