Brisbane venues snubbed for next years women’s T20 World Cup despite WBBL success
Brisbane has been robbed of hosting a match during the women’s T20 World Cup next year, just days after the Brisbane Heat proved themselves the premier team in the WBBL.
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THE Brisbane Heat’s Big Bash heroes have been left disappointed by Queensland’s snubbing from the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup.
The River City was on Tuesday denied the chance to host a competition match during the tournament next February.
The decision to overlook Queensland for a women’s match came just three days after the Heat clinched the Women’s Big Bash League title with a thrilling victory against the Sydney Sixers.
That means Queensland cricket fans won’t get the chance to watch the likes of Heat star Beth Mooney play a competition match in the World Cup for Australia.
Heat bowler Delissa Kimmince admitted she was disappointed to not be playing a competition match at home when Australia looks to defend its T20 World Cup title.
“Yes and no, the supporters here are amazing to us and we love playing here at Allan Border Field,” she said.
“It’s our training facility as well as home ground. It’s always a great wicket and a great field.
“At the same time we’re happy to spread the love around Australia and show the world what we have.”
The Gabba and Allan Border Field have been ignored for all pool and finals games in the showpiece event for women’s cricket in February-March next year. Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney are hosting pool games.
Allan Border Field in Albion will host five women’s warm-up matches from February 15.
The Gabba will get four men’s competition matches, one including Australia, for that T20 World Cup in October-November next year.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Julia Price said the bypassing of Queensland venues for all women’s matches was a “major disappointment for local cricket lovers”.
“There has to be a financial reason to it all with state governments bidding for games these days,” Price said.
“I do feel for Beth not getting to play for Australia in Brisbane and other Heat girls like Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince and Sammy-Jo Johnson who could make the squad.”
The state government pitched hard for a game and it’s understood that a bid to host the final was scuttled by the wow factor of an MCG decider and a potential 90,000-strong crowd.
The chance to play in front of large crowds in an SCG semi-final and the MCG final on March 8, 2020 is now the target for Mooney with women’s cricket on the rise.
“Having the opportunity to play a warm-up game here is just really special,” Mooney said at Border Field on Tuesday.
“Our facilities are some of the best in the world, so to provide training facilities for the female programs coming over here is just outstanding.”
All-rounder Jonassen said she was “a little bit surprised” at the Gabba missing out but added “it’s really exciting to be hearing there are going to be redevelopments, not only at the Gabba but also at Border Field.”
Queensland Cricket has known for a year that it was unlikely to host any women’s competition matches given it had been selected as a preparation hub for the lead-up to the tournament.
The ageing Gabba has copped heavy criticism and is in need of upgrades while Queensland Cricket is lobbying government for a redevelopment of Allan Border Field.
Despite the snubbing, Queensland Cricket CEO Max Walters said he had ambitions to make Brisbane the international home of women’s cricket.
“We’re disappointed to that extent but looking at the positives,” he said.
“We want Allan Border Field to be the spiritual home of women’s cricket in the world.
“We see the World Twenty20 men’s and women’s, particularly the women’s, as a great springboard to get the Gabba finished and also Allan Border Field finished.
“We think we can achieve that with the government funding we’ve asked for.”
MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP
At the Gabba
October 31, 2020
Pakistan v New Zealand
Australia v Qualifier
November 2, 2020
New Zealand v Qualifier
November 4, 2020
England v Afghanistan
WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP
Warm-up matches at Allan Border Field
Feb 15-Feb 20
Aus v West Indies
India v Pakistan
India v West Indies
Pakistan v Qualifier
One other Qualifier match
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