Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley apologises after power outage causes broadcast chaos

Cricket Australia has apologised to fans after a power outage caused the world broadcast feed to go down during the first Test.

Nathan Lyon appeals for a wicket during the opening session on day four. Picture: Getty Images

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley has apologised to fans after a power outage caused the world broadcast feed to go down, with officials privately pining for a complete redevelopment of the Gabba for the Olympics.

Nearly three years ago a power outage caused the Gabba lights to turn off, forcing a Big Bash game to be abandoned.

On Saturday, generators went down in the outside broadcast box forcing television pictures across the country and the world to go down for 20 minutes.

There’s a feeling that the Olympic redevelopment of the tired Gabba can’t come quick enough for local officials, amid a feeling the ground is outdated, with technological issues suffered throughout the Test match.

Broadcasters certainly don’t relish going to the Gabba, but perhaps the bigger factor for this Test match has been the fact strict Queensland Government COVID-19 restrictions have limited broadcasters to sending just 25 per cent of their usual on-ground crew to Brisbane.

Catch every moment of The Ashes live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. Join now for just $5 for 2-months Kayo Basic. New customers only, ends 13th Dec >

Cameron Green celebrates a wicket on the fourth day. Picture: AFP Images

With only a limited number of exemptions provided by the Queensland Government, there are less technical staff than has ever been seen for a Test.

Cricket Australia were warned by broadcasters that they were taking a massive risk by taking Test matches to states with closed borders – and although CA got away with it at last summer’s Brisbane Test, this match has had a variety of technology issues.

Hockley apologised to fans.

“I think it hasn’t been ideal, we are very sorry for the fans,” Hockley said.

“My understanding of the situation is it was an issue with one of the generators in the outside broadcast compound but we are very appreciative of everyone who worked really quickly to get the feeds and signal back up and running.

“We can only apologise to the fans.”

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has apologised to fans for the power outage. Picture: Getty

If there was a good time to have a 20 minute power outage, it came during a period of play where no wickets fell.

Cameras were able to capture Nathan Lyon’s 400th Test wicket, and then the flurry of wickets sparked by Pat Cummins.

The initial outage caused all technology at the ground, including DRS and the scoreboard to crash.

The tech issues that impacted the Gabba Test prompted many to question CA’s decision to go to Queensland, particularly as the border restrictions reduced staffing numbers and forced both teams to quarantine for two-weeks upon arrival.

Hockley said the decision was made in the interests of cricket fans, with fears at one point the series may have been abandoned altogether as England pushed for eased restrictions for the team.

“I think throughout this last 18 months we have done everything we possibly can to play the schedules as planned and the reason for that is because we’ve been putting the cricket fans first right around the country,” he said.

“It hasn’t been ideal, but there’s been a lot of whether it’s radio or TV commentators commentating off the broadcast feeds in Sydney or Melbourne.

“Personally I would have loved to be at the Gabba these last few days but because of border restrictions I was not able to be so we just thank everyone for their flexibility their ingenuity and hopefully we’re back open and back to normal as quickly as we possibly can.

“We are just thrillled that we were able to play the series. There were times over the last three or six months where we thought it might not even happen so to see a packed Gabba has been absolutely fantastic.”

Originally published as Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley apologises after power outage causes broadcast chaos