Queensland Cricket, Brisbane Lions bosses urge government to abandon the Gabba

As the Brisbane Test headed towards a watery grave, a watershed moment was occurring away from the Gabba, one which could spell the end of the venue altogether.

As the Brisbane Test headed towards a watery grave there was a watershed moment off the field with progress in the official push to scrap the Gabba as a Test venue.

Bosses of Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions have met with members of the Queensland Government’s 100-day Olympic venue review this week and urged them to abandon the ground after the 2032 Olympics.

Their proposal includes building a new ground at Victoria Park.

It is understood the Victoria Park proposal is now being looked at extremely closely by the review panel despite the government’s pledge for no new stadiums. Insiders say it is now the most likely option ahead of a redeveloped Gabba.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley told this masthead last week the Gabba should be used for the final cricket match of the 2032 Olympics then cricket should move to the new stadium.

“It’s clear the Gabba is coming to the end of its useful life and the Brisbane 2032 Games presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop a world class stadium that delivers strong legacy benefits for Queensland, by providing cricket and football fans with the facilities that they deserve,’’ Hockley said.

“Hopefully, this latest review will provide the certainty that everyone is craving, not least the Games organisers and together with Queensland Cricket, the AFL and the Lions, we will be making a strong case for a new stadium that can accommodate cricket and Australian rules football at Victoria Park into the future.’’