International cricket makes historic return to Cairns for ODI series

Cairns has been dealt a royal flush of cricket spectacles after the announcement that the city will host games later this year against New Zealand.

The return of top tier cricket to the Far North has come with a bang after the announcement that three one-day internationals between Australia and New Zealand will come to Cairns in September.

Australia will take on their trans-Tasman foes at Cazalys Stadium between September 6-11, marking the first time this form of cricket has been played in the city since 2003.

Josh Hazlewood of Australia celebrates with his team after taking the wicket of Virat Kohli of India during game one of the One Day International series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on November 27, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Cairns cricket icon and Queensland Country Cricket president Kevin Maher said it was extraordinary time to have both Australia and New Zealand come to town in their prime.

“You couldn’t ask for a better draw,” he said.

“New Zealand are the Test champions, and they were beaten rather controversially in the one day world cup by England.

“They (Australia) haven’t played the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in quite some time because of the Covid arrangements.

“This match brings back Australia and New Zealand – head-to-head – and I think there will be a lot of competition out here.”

Maher also emphasised the Cairns September weather - as well as the game’s time in the afternoon - made Cairns the top local for the matches.

“To have them here playing day-night games - people can still get a good day’s cricket in if they’ve been at work,” he said.

Sean Abbott of Australia celebrates with his team mates Cameron Green and Ashton Agar of Australia after taking the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan of India during game three of the One Day International series between Australia and India at Manuka Oval on December 02, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Cairns cricket games:

Tuesday, Sep 6: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 2:20pm

Thursday, Sep 8: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 2:20pm

Sunday Sep 11: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 2:20pm

Cairns also hosted international cricket in the form of Pakistan tour matches against Australia A and XI teams.

FNQ’s last foray in international one day cricket came in 2003 when more than 8000 punters rolled into Bundaberg Rum Stadium (Cazalys) to watch Australia take on Bangladesh in a three game series.

Recently passed cricket legend Andrew Symonds opened for Australia in the second match of three against Bangladesh, with the former winning all three games.

AFL Cairns general manager Craig Lees was optimistic that reasonable ticket pricing would lead to crowds of between 8000-10,000 at Cazalys.

“If we can end up with 20,000 over the three days, that will be massive for the economy,” he said.

Cairns also played a special role in the career of fellow deceased Australian cricketing icon Shane Warne.

SPORT. BCM. 13/7/04. Shane Warne of Australia leaves the field after the end on day five of the Australia versus Sri Lanka test match in Cairns. Pic Darren England.

The Spin King collected his 527th wicket in front of a raucous Cazalys crowd to tie Sri Lankan bowling immortal Muttiah Muralitharan for the record.

Cairns City mayor Bob Manning remembers that day fondly, and said memories akin to his would be created by the next generation at the upcoming matches.

“It’s always the kids you think about - the kids who go to this will remember the players here, they’ll remember it for years,” he said.

Manning jokingly said he hoped visitors would have trouble booking their stay during the days around the limited overs matches, adding that the prospect of a week of cricket should have hotels and businesses excited.

“The more the town fills, the more crowded it gets and the better it gets,” he said.

The Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder WBBL teams clashed in Cairns in 2019. Pictured: Josh Huggins at Cazalys Stadium. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Cazalys’ cricketing timeline:

- January 12, 2019, Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder, WBBL

- December 3, 2017 QLD v SA, Sheffield Shield

- December 8, 2016 Australia XI v Pakistan, one day

- October 18, 2008 QLD v NSW, Sheffield Shield

- July 27 2006, New Zealand Black v Pakistan A, 50 over

- July 25, 2006, Australia A v Pakistan A, 50 over

- July 24, 2006, India A v New Zealand Black, 50 over

- July 23, 2006, Australia A v Pakistan A, T20

- July 18, 2006, Australia A v India A

- July 9, 2004, Australia v Sri Lanka, Test

- August 3, 2003, Australia v Bangladesh, ODI

- August 2, 2003, Australia v Bangladesh, ODI

- July 25, 2003, Australia v Bangladesh, Test

- November 13, 1998, QLD v England, one day warm-up

- October 26, 1997, QLD v New Zealand, one day warm-up

- October 22, 1997, QLD v New Zealand, one day warm up

- July 19, 1996, VIC v WA, Super 8s

The trio of day-night spring games will come after Australia hosts ODIs against Zimbabwe in Townsville at the end of August.

Queensland Cricket chief executive Terry Svenson admitted it had been some time between drinks for Cairns cricket fans, but was thrilled to quench their thirst.

“We also made a commitment to regional Queensland that we’d bring more games up north,” he said.

“What we often see is games being played in capital cities … not everyone can afford to get to capital cities to watch their heroes play.”

“The fact that local fans here are able to come along and see games in Cairns and Townsville will be a real treat.

“We’d hope to think this will be the first of many games to be played in regional Queensland.”

The announcement comes after the Bulls Masters announced it would be bringing the Youth Cup and Country Challenge to Cairns from 2022.

“The Country Challenge will be here on the long weekend of October ... and then the Youth Cup is the week before Christmas,” Maher said.

“There’s been a lot going into getting those here as well ... we’re in for a big time between now and Christmas.”

AFL Cairns gm Craig Lees, Cairns City mayor Bob Manning, QLD Country cricket president Kevin Maher and Cricket Queensland CEO Terry Svenson at Cazalys Stadium. Picture: Harry Murtough

Impact on AFL Cairns

The announcement of the matches coming to Cazalys has meant AFL Cairns has altered its finals scheduling for the closure of its 2022 season.

The first two weeks of seniors finals will require relocating, as will training for the Manunda Hawks and umpires.

“We’re open to home qualification home finals, but we want to keep those three games (seniors, reserves, women’s) together,” Lees said.

Two Hawks women’s home games and one men’s regular season game will also require a change in venue.

The locations for those games have yet to be determined.

This will be the second time this season the Hawks have drawn the short straw when it comes to fixturing, with the side unable to use Cazalys for the opening three rounds due to the AFL.

“I had a good conversation with Marc Harbrow (Hawks president) last Friday about it,” Lees said.

“We’re empathetic in terms of that ... but at the end of the day, I think everyone in the Cairns community understands the importance of bringing events to the town.

“The economy was absolutely smashed during the pandemic and if we can play a small part in making sure we get people back to Cairns and our hotels full again and food and beverage going strong.

“The Hawks will be looked after.”

Overall, the ground will be closed from August 1 until September 11; the grand finals will still be played at Cazalys.

“Some games I’ve been to down in Victoria where you’re dealing with boggy, muddy wickets on grand final day because of the weather - a harder wicket’s going to be safe,” Lees said.

“It’s a small price to pay to have the local grand final, but that’ll 100 per cent stay at Cazalys.”

The AFL Cairns Juniors will play their finals at Watsons Oval.

Originally published as International cricket makes historic return to Cairns for ODI series