No games will be played at the Gabba for years, Queensland Cricket boss warns

The Palaszczuk government has been blasted over a lack of clarity around the Gabba redevelopment which leaves cricket in Queensland facing its most uncertain and complex era.

Cricket administrators have sensationally warned Queensland fans that no games will be played at the Gabba for almost a decade from the end of 2025 – and that the only workable solution is the construction of a new 10,000 permanent “boutique” stadium at Allan Border Field in Albion.

In a passionate open letter sent to supporters late Thursday, Queensland Cricket boss Terry Svenson and chair Chris Simpson warn the sport is “entering the most complex and uncertain era it has faced” – and blasted the state government for a lack of clarity about its plans.

They warn that Test cricket is set to be lost to Queensland for at least seven seasons after demolition begins at the Gabba after the 2025 Ashes.

No cricket is expected to be played at the Gabba for at least seven years while it undergoes reconstruction for the 2032 Games.

And they say the proposed mini-stadium at the RNA showgrounds will only ever be able to host a handful of Big Bash games each summer.

“We are preparing ourselves for a worst-case scenario where cricket could face the loss of access to the Gabba for potentially greater than seven years during the period of demolition, construction and post-Games return,” the pair wrote.

“There are significant unknowns around the Gabba project, including the level of detail that is needed by stakeholders about the decision-making process for both the Gabba and other related infrastructure projects. The planning and relevant timelines for delivery of this critical infrastructure is now causing considerable uncertainty for cricket.”

An artist’s impression of the proposed new stadium at Albion.

While saying they supported the state government’s decision to construct “a new world-class stadium at the Gabba” to host the Games, the two bosses of Queensland Cricket warned “before that can happen, there needs to be greater clarity around the planning in the short, medium, and long-term”.

“Our focus throughout this process is to not only maintain cricket’s presence in Brisbane but also identify opportunities to grow the game out to 2032 and beyond, and we are seeking support from governments at all levels to ensure this,” they wrote in the letter emailed to fans and players.

An artist’s impression of the stadium inside the Breakfast Creek Sports Precinct.

“Regrettably, the level of detail surrounding the Gabba project’s time frames has yet to be announced (and) as a result we face the real prospect of losing important Test and BBL cricket matches from Queensland to interstate venues during the pre-Olympic displacement from the Gabba, and hold a reasonable fear that a suitable solution to enable continuity of matches in Brisbane may not meet our needs or expectations.”

They said that while they were “open to hearing more” about the proposal for a stand-in smaller stadium constructed at the inner-city RNA showgrounds, they were concerned it “would present some challenges” as it would only ever be able to host five Big Bash matches a season – with Test matches no chance of ever being played there.

Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson says a boutique stadium should be built at Allan Border Field. Picture: Richard Walker

“Hence, our preference for ensuring continuity of elite cricket in Brisbane when the Gabba is unavailable is an upgraded Allan Border Field, with existing infrastructure that can host this level of cricket while being bolstered by an improved capacity,” the pair wrote. “We believe that an upgraded Allan Border Field represents the most cost-effective solution with greatest long-term benefit to the community.”

The proposal for an upgraded Allan Border Field would also be “the most efficient … and timely option” – and it would allow Test cricket to continue to be played in Brisbane over the next decade.

“With additional seating ­capacity, it stands ready to meet the needs of cricket during an extended disruption period,” they wrote.

The open letter also revealed it was the “firm stance” of both Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket that the wicket block at the new Gabba Stadium was a permanent one rather than a drop-in pitch as is usually used at new venues.

But if a drop-in pitch was to be used, they warned it would take up to five years to prepare one – meaning that there could possibly be further delays for Test cricket’s return to the Gabba, but permanent pitches took 18 months to prepare.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s spokeswoman said the government was continuing to work with Queensland Cricket investigate all options.