David Crisafulli fights to bring first Test of summer back to Brisbane
Premier David Crisafulli has declared war on rival states, promising to mount a case to steal back Queensland's traditional first Test hosting rights.
Premier David Crisafulli is ready to arm-wrestle to secure the first Test match in 2028, saying he will mount a credible case to get it back at The Gabba.
Mr Crisafulli – a diehard cricket fan – also revealed he would “throw his toys out of the cot” if cricket isn’t included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In the candid chat with Gerard Whateley on SEN Test Cricket on Saturday, Mr Crisafulli opened up about his intentions to fight to bring the first Test back to Brisbane.
The state government is in negotiations with Cricket Australia for it to return to Brisbane – but faces a bidding war with Perth and Adelaide for the rights.
“That does disappoint me immensely … we have made a deal with Cricket Australia that the first Test of 2032 summer will be back to Brisbane at Victoria Park,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“And we will also arm-wrestle, so the deal with Western Australia goes to 2027-28, so we will begin to arm-wrestle to bring it back here.”
Premier Crisafulli said that Brisbane carries the identity of hosting the first Test, just as Melbourne is renowned for the Boxing Day Test.
“I think the case writes itself, I think Test cricket is best when it goes longer than two days,” he said.
“We will mount credible cases as to why I think the first Test of the summer should be here for a myriad of reasons including the record of Australian teams, but also the identity of Australians because that’s what happens - on Boxing Day you go to Melbourne, first Test is here.”
Former Australia wicketkeeper and batter Ian Healy has also backed The Gabba as the starter of a Test series.
“I think you need Brisbane under your belt and then to Perth and do better – that has been the case,” Healy said.
“If you’ve been on a pre-season tour or just to start off, the practice facilities are very real compared to what you get in the middle, and just a little less volatile than in Perth. Definitely like to see Brisbane. It’s a delight to come back to really green, lush conditions after a tour.”
The Queensland government has made arrangements with Cricket Australia to host the first Test of the summer in 2032 at the new Victoria Park Stadium – the same year of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.
Mr Crisafulli said he was eager to see cricket on the agenda for the games.
“I’ll throw my toys out of the cot if they don’t,” he said.
Mr Crisafulli also revealed he would like to see a “natural pitch” at the new stadium, where work was set to begin next year.
“I think it just adds to the identity of the venue to have a natural pitch and I don’t think there’s as much magic having a drop-in (pitch),” he said.
Originally published as David Crisafulli fights to bring first Test of summer back to Brisbane
