Queensland pitches grassroots funding to win back Gabba's first Test
The second Test’s 137,000-strong crowd has given Queensland ammunition to revolutionise how cricket's biggest matches are awarded.
Queensland will prioritise more investment in grassroots cricket above a multimillion-dollar bidding war to win back the first Test for the Gabba.
Premier David Crisafulli said the government had “very respectful, very forceful” negotiations during the Brisbane Ashes Test with Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird and CEO Todd Greenberg about hosting the blockbuster opening match of the 2028 summer against India.
He said the four-day Test, attended by more than 137,000 people was the proof to Cricket Australia the 2028 summer should start in Brisbane.
“I reckon you saw a compelling case as to why the first Test of the summer should be held together,” he said.
“What you saw in the second was a traditional Test match and it was an incredible spectacle, and going to the game to see the buzz around the Gabba was amazing.
“I don’t know why any entity would want to forgo that competitive advantage.
“I’ve had discussions with the chairman and the CEO, I think they’re very amenable to it.”
It is understood Mr Crisafulli has proposed better investment in grassroots cricket and easier access to school facilities to grow the sport.
This could be part of a multimillion-dollar financial package to secure the first test at the Gabba.
Mr Crisafulli said Cricket Australia had listened to his call to look beyond a blank chequebook before making a decision.
“He (Mr Baird) saw why it makes sense and there is, as in any organisation, the needs have to be balanced between financial and also historical,” he said.
“For example, State of Origin – you would never have a situation in a three-game series where you wouldn’t have at least one game in New South Wales or Queensland … no matter, for any amount of money.
“I look at Test cricket and the first Test of the summer … others might be able to pull out a chequebook and try and entice the first Test but it will never replicate the magic that it does at this time of year in Queensland – the weather, the history, the sense of tribalism, the sense of identity.”
A battered and bruised England cricket team will likely be soaking up the sun in Noosa instead of finding form, with a local cricket club confirming their facilities had not been booked out by the team.
England will look to reset in the iconic holiday hotspot after suffering back-to-back losses, as the Australians seized an eight-wicket victory at the Gabba in the second Test match of the 2025-26 Ashes series.
While their presence in Noosa will bring global attention to the popular tourist destination, many believe the English cricket team should be hitting the nets at the Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club, instead of holidaying.
When asked by The Courier-Mail if the English cricket team had booked out the ground or any net facilities, a Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club spokesman said “we haven’t heard anything”.
If the team did want to book out any facilities locally, England’s fast-bowling coach David Saker maybe able to pull some strings, with Saker previously involved with coaching at the Caloundra Cricket Club.
Saker left the grassroots club to pursue his international contract with the England Cricket Board.
With several keen golfers in the side, English players may look to hit the course at many of the region’s golf courses.
While he would welcome their presence, golf manager at the Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort Jacob Harrison believes their attention would be better placed elsewhere.
“They should be in the nets,” he said.
“Maybe they’re going to a local cricket club to get some throw downs.
“If they do decide to come out, it’d be great to have them, we’d be more than happy to show them the Sunshine Coast.”
While English skipper Ben Stokes will likely spend his time at Noosa on the beach rather than playing a game of cricket, a Ben Stokes did turn out for a cricket match at the local cricket ground last weekend.
Representing the Glasshouse District Cricket Club, Ben Stokes turned up for a Men’s Division 1 one-day clash against the Tewantin-Noosa Thunder at Read Park, Tewantin on Saturday, December 6.
England will spend several days in Noosa, before heading to Adelaide for the Third Test, where Australia will be looking to wrap up the series.
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Originally published as Queensland pitches grassroots funding to win back Gabba's first Test
‘5-0?’ Poms retreat to Noosa after Ashes drubbing
