Perth’s Optus Stadium eyes first India Test in fresh Brisbane blow amid Gabba funding drama

In the latest blow for Brisbane’s dilapidated Gabba, the famous ground is set to be shunted even further down the pecking order for this summer’s Indian Test extravaganza.

As a dark cloud looms over the redevelopment of the Gabba, Brisbane looks set to be shunted down the pecking order for this summer’s Indian Test extravaganza.

No final decisions have been made on the schedule for the epic five-Test series, but this masthead understands Perth is poised to win the battle for the coveted first Test.

The Queensland Government is still yet to make its submission to Cricket Australia and will be going in hard for the first Test it has been synonymous with for most big home summers.

However, all indications suggest Perth is the new home of the summer opener.

One of the biggest factors in a likely schedule of Perth hosting the first Test, Adelaide the second as a day-nighter, Brisbane third, and then the traditional Melbourne and Sydney Tests to wrap up the summer is the Big Bash League.

Perth’s Optus Stadium is firming as the host of the opening Test against India next summer. Picture: Getty

By starting with Perth and an Adelaide day-nighter, Cricket Australia can play the two ‘prime time’ Tests before the Big Bash gets underway in mid-late December.

It gives CA prime time, night-time cricket all the way through the summer.

With the third Test being in Brisbane rather than Perth, it allows it to double as the launch of the BBL, with season-opening matches to start in the evenings immediately following close of play at the Gabba.

This wouldn’t be possible if the third Test was in Perth, due to the time difference which means day-time Tests in the West finish late at night on the east coast.

A third Test for the Gabba isn’t necessarily a disaster, given the third Test would be in prime school holiday time just before Christmas and the Indian series will still be live.

The Gabba is facing a fight for its future amid an Olympic funding battle. Photo Steve Pohlner

However, it’s undeniably a blow to the overall stature of the Gabba as a Test cricket venue.

Former International Olympic Committee vice-President John Coates has already declared plans for the $2.7 billion Gabba rebuild should be abandoned and Cricket Australia’s inclination to go with Perth for the first Test only reinforce the message that the home of Queensland cricket is no longer regarded as one of the top Test grounds in the country.

That said, it’s still a massive call to be backing in Perth over Brisbane for the first Test given the unreliability of Western Australian crowds compared to the numbers who flock to the showpiece in Queensland.

Numbers were still mediocre for last summer’s first Test against Pakistan in Perth, whereas the Gabba pulled big day one and two crowds in excess of 23,000 against the low-ranking West Indies.

However, the Western Australian Government has poured huge money into the Optus Stadium facility which is state of the art compared to the ageing Gabba.

Players have traditionally strongly preferred to start big summers against England and India at the Gabba, because of its reputation as The Fortress.

However, Australia has had its colours lowered by India and West Indies in recent Tests.

Cricket Australia has made a concerted effort to try and create an established event around the Perth Test and build-up attendances.

The certainty of being the first Test of the summer should help that cause, although being the first Test often makes it harder to market matches, because there is no cricket before it.

Originally published as Perth’s Optus Stadium eyes first India Test in fresh Brisbane blow amid Gabba funding drama