Cricket news 2024: CA pleads for Queensland government investment as Gabba banished

Cricket Australia is urging the Queensland government to invest in a ‘fit for purpose’ stadium as the Gabba has been banished from the Test calendar for the first time in 50 years.

Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley wants the Queensland government to invest in a “brilliant, fit for purpose stadium” after the state’s cricket leaders bemoaned the inertia that has led to Brisbane being banished from the Test calendar for the first time in half a century.

As CA confirmed the pillars of its home international schedule for the next seven years at a series of announcements around the country on Sunday, Queensland has been left in limbo, with no commitment to Test cricket in Brisbane beyond a day-night men’s Ashes Test late in 2025.

It is a result of a lack of clarity around the future of the Gabba following the decision to scrap plans to rebuild the venue ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

With CA spruiking long-term deals for Tests in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, Hockley said it was clear that Queensland needed to invest either in a new home for cricket or to significantly spruce up the Gabba.

“We’re interested in the best provision for cricket and for cricket fans into the long-term. I think what has become clear is that the useful economic life of the Gabba is kind of nearing an end point,” Hockley said at the MCG on Sunday.

Will the 2025 Test at the Gabba be its last? Picture: AFP

“I would think we welcome that there’ll be further investment in the near term. But we are really interested, and we think that the sports fans of Queensland deserve a brilliant fit for purpose stadium for the longer term. So we’re interested to understand what that will look like.”

The Gabba has been left off the Test schedule for 2026-27, the first time the venue has missed a Test since 1976-77.

In an open letter, Queensland Cricket chair Kirsten Pike and chief executive Terry Svenson said it was a “deeply disappointing” outcome.

The situation is complicated by the fact a state election is due in Queensland this October.

“I think everyone’s waiting to understand what the stadia strategy is going to be going forward. And I think that was ultimately behind the Queensland government’s decision to commit to a two year arrangement at this stage. So we’re in very regular dialogue with all the relevant parties up in Queensland, and those discussions will continue over the coming months,” Hockley said.

The MCG will host the Boxing Day Test until at least 2030-31. Picture: Diego Fedele

Hockley meanwhile stressed that safety was top priority as competing nations brace for October’s women’s Twenty20 World Cup to be shifted from crisis-torn Bangladesh.

The UAE and Zimbabwe are among the options to serve as replacement venues.

It’s understood there are serious reservations among top players about the tournament proceeding in Bangladesh.

“The ICC is actively working on the current situation, but also what the contingency arrangements so we expect to get some certainty around that in the coming weeks. But obviously, as with all events, the safety of participants and fans is the absolute priority,” Hockley said.

Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux said players were being consulted on a potential move.

“We’ve been chats with Cricket Australia and they’re doing a lot of work with the ICC, and we’ve got full faith that they’ll come up with the right decision for everyone.”

Originally published as Cricket news 2024: CA pleads for Queensland government investment as Gabba banished