BBL13: Cricket schedule clash to cost Brisbane Heat a Gabba qualifying final

The Big Bash League could cost itself $600,000 due to a schedule clash which would see the Brisbane Heat abandon the Gabba for the first qualifying final.

The Big Bash League could cost itself $600,000 due to a schedule clash which would see the Brisbane Heat abandon the Gabba for the first qualifying final.

The undefeated Heat are almost certain to finish top of the table and host The Qualifier against the second placed side on January 19.

But that match is set to be played at the Gold Coast’s Heritage Bank Stadium due to the Gabba’s preparations for the second Test against the West Indies.

The Brisbane Test starts six days after that final and convention dictates curators generally place the wicket block off limits for 10 days before a Test so the match is set to be moved to Cararra Stadium.

Heat officials had already been resigned to playing the competition decider on the Gold Coast should Brisbane progress that far given the date (January 24) was the day before the start of the West Indies Test.

Brisbane Heat remain unbeaten. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Gabba officials are particularly keen to get the match deck in pristine order after last summer’s two-day Test against South Africa resulted in the deck receiving an “average’’ rating from the International Cricket Council.

But sending The Qualifier to the Gold Coast is a financial blow for the Heat and the competition, especially given Gabba crowds have been excellent throughout the Big Bash.

Club officials believed they would have had a 31,000 sell out had the qualifying final been held in Brisbane.

While the Gold Coast ground can hold 22,500 the Heat have never filled it for a Big Bash game.

It is believed the shortfall in crowd, merchandise and corporate sales on the Coast will produce a $600,000-$800,000 hole in revenue.

The Gabba will host the second Test against West Indies. Picture: AAP/Dave Hunt

Cricket Australia receives the lion’s share of revenue from the finals but the Heat would receive a cut of it as well.

Heat allrounder Nathan McSweeney said his team had the ability to overcome the potential venue switch.

“Having a home final is massive for us and for our fans,’’ McSweeney said.

“They’ve been excellent this year at the Gabba, and (Heritage Bank Stadium) is a great ground as well, so we’re really looking forward to getting down there and playing.’’

“Personally, I love playing the Gabba. It suits my game really well, but Colin Munro and players like that have really big scores at (Heritage Bank Stadium), so I don’t think it’s going to be a big issue for us.

“The fans down there are awesome. The ground is a really nice ground so it shouldn’t make a big difference for us.”

Originally published as BBL13: Cricket schedule clash to cost Brisbane Heat a Gabba qualifying final