Gabba handed first day-night Test but Brisbane told to rise to the occasion to retain big matches

BRISBANE’s first day-night Test will be announced on Wednesday. but of even greater significance will be the unspoken message that comes with it.

Australia play India in a ODI game at the Gabba. Glenn Maxwell catches MS Dhoni out. Pic Jono Searle.

BRISBANE’s first day-night Test will be announced on Wednesday. but of even greater significance will be the unspoken message that comes with it.

It’s simply that the days of automatic entitlement are over.

Brisbane will host Pakistan in the first of a three Test series under lights in mid-December.

It is not the gold medal but it’s not bad.

The top prize was the first Test of the summer against South Africa which will go to Perth.

But Brisbane fans who feel hard done by should be reminded that at least they get the first Test of a series and a day-night game.

It’s a more attractive result than the iconic venues of Melbourne and Sydney get when they host the second and third Tests against Pakistan.

But the deeper issue is that life is changing, competition is hotting up for the best Tests and if Brisbane wants the prime games it has to show more passion for Test cricket.

Brownie points are up for grabs here. If the day-night game attracts a massive gate, Brisbane’s status will rise with it.

Brisbane will host its first ever pink ball Test when Pakistan visit later this year.

Pressure is coming from all angles.

Perth is building a 60,000 seat stadium. The renovated Adelaide Oval is a superb venue and wonderful crowd magnet.

Canberra are bidding strongly for a Test and will get one eventually.

Hobart has been given a prized South African Test as if to say: “OK, you’ve been whinging about getting dud Tests or no Tests for years ... here’s your chance ... now fire up.’’

Brisbane has been struggling to attract big Test crowds for years in non-Ashes summers and there are some mitigating factors.

As great a privilege as it is to host the first Test of the summer, it is often an under-promoted game which can fall before the start of school holidays. But it still could have done better.

For years the first Test has drifted through Brisbane like the Moscow Circus without the type of snap and crackle promotion that makes pulses race and tickets sell.

Test cricket can no longer sit back like a fat king expecting to rule the kingdom because that is the way it has always been.