‘Totally bizarre’: Usman’s fears for Qld cricket after minister’s sledge

Usman Khawaja fears Queensland Cricket could go broke within four years unless the state government honours a handshake agreement to help it while the Gabba is unavailable.

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Usman Khawaja fears Queensland Cricket could go broke within four years unless the state government honours a handshake agreement to help it.

Test batsman Khawaja, speaking at a launch for the Brisbane Heat’s opening match of the Big Bash ­summer at the Gabba on Thursday, has urged the government to help cricket with the huge cost of displacement due to the proposed Gabba redevelopment for the 2032 Olympics.

It follows Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe saying the state government was not obliged to help cricket or AFL during the redevelopment.

Queensland Cricket has been asked to pitch in a portion of the $91m needed ­beyond the state government’s $46m contribution to redevelop the RNA Showgrounds for cricket and Australian rules during the four years from 2025 when the Gabba is out of action.

Khawaja said not only did cricket not have money for that project, but it would be an additional $45m out of pocket just by moving away from the Gabba.

“To be honest if that is the case I don’t know what’s going to happen to Queensland Cricket, whether it will be broke in three or four years’ time and where the money comes from,’’ Khawaja said.

“I am really worried at the moment because it is going to be a big, big burden on Queensland cricket, and I’m a little disappointed to see how the state government is not offering any help, which seems totally bizarre to me.

Brisbane, Queensland and Australia cricketer Usman Khawaja

“These are pretty serious issues Queensland Cricket needs to discuss with the state government because, from what I know, there was a handshake agreement that the state government would help with the costs that Queensland Cricket would incur,” he said.

“I love the idea of the Gabba being redone. I think it needs to be with the Olympics coming up. I am all for that.

“But at the same time, it is going to displace Queensland Cricket a lot. Talking to (Queensland Cricket chief executive) Terry Svenson recently and we are going to be about $45 million out of pocket over the four years.’’

Instead of going to the RNA, where Queensland would not retain ownership rights when the Gabba project was finished, Khawaja would prefer an upgrade to Allan Border Field.

“Sport is the backbone of Queensland. It wasn’t until I came up here I realised how much sport is a part of our culture,’’ he said.

“People are going to lose their jobs and cricket is going to absolutely struggle if we don’t get help from the government.

“We will lose $45m and that is a lot for an organisation that doesn’t make that much money.’’