Cricket Australia announces Cairns and Mackay to host Australia v South Africa

Australian spin bowler Matt Kuhnemann has crowned an unlikely venue as the state’s premier wicket as fixtures were locked in for South Africa’s upcoming tour. Find out where he’s most excited to play.

Division 8 Cairns councillor Rhonda Coghlan, Australian cricket player Tanveer Sangha and Cazalys and AFL Cairns GM Craig Lees. Photo: Catherine Duffy.

North Queensland cricket fans are in for a very special summer of cricket later this year, with Cricket Australia officially announcing the four matches set to be played at Cairns’ Cazalys Stadium and Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena.

As reported exclusively in this masthead last week, Cazalys will host the Proteas on August 16 and 19 for a T20 and ODI match, while Great Barrier Reef Arena will see two ODI fixtures on August 22 and 24.

The two cities were greeted by a pair of top-level Aussie cricketers, with young leg spinner Tanveer Sangha visiting Cairns, while Queensland’s own Matt Kuhnemann visited Mackay.

From left: Cricket Australia Head of Government Relations Brett Wood, Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson, Australian international cricketer Matt Kuhnemann, Harrup Park and Great Barrier Reef Arena CEO Adrian Young, and Mackay Cricket chairman Terry Doolan. Picture: Mitch Turner

Kuhnemann revealed he had some previous experience with the Mackay wicket, and had been thoroughly impressed during previous visits.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play (at Great Barrier Reef Arena) in previous years, and to see the rise of this town and this venue to world-class status has been awesome,” he said.

“I’ve said from the get-go, since I first came here, that I think this arena is one of, if not the best cricket ground in Queensland.

“The wicket is second to none. I’ve played different formats here and there’s been something in it for the batters, fast bowlers and spinners, which is what you want out of a good pitch.

“With the club behind it, to be able to come to the cricket and enjoy a steak and a beer and watch top-level cricket, it’s not a common experience around the world.”

The two countries will be facing each other directly after a World Test Championship final stoush in June, but Kuhnemann said they’d treat this matchup like they would any other on the international calendar.

“I suppose for the people around it, there might be a bit of extra juice. But for us we treat every international fixture as a major challenge and we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

Sangha spoke highly of both Cazalys Stadium and the city as a whole when he spoke on Monday.

“It’s awesome to see cricket coming back to Cairns, it’s my first time up here and I’ve loved everything the place has to offer,” Sangha said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how the wicket plays.”

Fresh off the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, Sangha said he took plenty of lessons from his time on the subcontinent which he’s hoping will translate to an appearance and some strong performances in Cairns and Mackay.

“I learned a lot from my time with the side, every time I’m in an Australian squad it’s a chance to learn and to grow,” he said.

Originally published as Cricket Australia announces Cairns and Mackay to host Australia v South Africa