Gabba to Host Day-Night Test Over Australia Day Weekend

Gabba to Host Day-Night Test Over Australia Day Weekend

11/05/2018

Media Statements
Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones
Monday, April 30, 2018


GABBA TO HOST DAY-NIGHT TEST OVER AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND

The Gabba will host its first ever Australia Day Test match following confirmation Australia will take on Sri Lanka in a day-night game in January.

Sport Minister Mick de Brenni said Queenslanders had proven in the past they loved the day-night format of Test cricket and now had a chance to enjoy a long weekend of cricket action on the most Australian weekend of the year.

“There’s not much more Aussie than a game of cricket on the 26th January and first class cricket doesn’t get better than at the Gabba,” Mr de Brenni said.

“This announcement sends a clear message for young Queensland girls and boys - if you’re good enough, there’s a clear pathway to donning the baggy green on home soil.

“I think the growth in women’s cricket will go from strength to strength. With half of all school kids playing already being girls, the women’s T20 will inspire even more girls to have a go. 

“Queensland is churning out some outstanding junior cricketers and what’s great about this big ticket event is that it’s destined to see more kids pad up down at their local ovals.

“I want to thank Cricket for their commitment to Queensland - their programs from In2Cricket right through to elite talent pathways and these big ticket events represent one of the best sports development programs going around.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said she was happy to see another day-night Test match scheduled for the Gabba.

“It’s great that the partnership between Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane Marketing has again delivered a world-class sporting event for our state, this time a day-night Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Gabba to be held, for the first time ever, over the Australia Day weekend,” she said.

The Gabba will also host a blockbuster T20 international in November, when Australia takes on India, while the Australian Women’s Team will play New Zealand at Allan Border Field in a T20 International in October.

“It’s exciting to confirm that Brisbane will host a Day-Night Test for the second time in three seasons, and we are pleased to break new ground by staging the Test against Sri Lanka at the Gabba over the Australia Day weekend, the first time this has happened,” Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said.

“It is also pleasing that the world number one ranked Australian women’s team will be in action again at Allan Border Field, carrying on the success from last season‘s sold-out Women’s Ashes game.”

Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Max Walters said Queensland offered greater venue versatility and hosting potential than any other State.

“Australian Cricket’s strategic vision includes a challenge to us as a sport to innovate and look beyond traditional boundaries,’’ he said.

“We’re pleased that the Australian Women’s team will again start their international campaign in Brisbane at Allan Border Field. Anyone who attended the sold-out game to start the Women’s Ashes series last summer at Albion will no doubt be excited to return to see Australia host the White Caps.”
 
“Of course we are delighted the Gabba will again be a venue of a pink ball Test against Sri Lanka after successfully hosting Pakistan in its inaugural day/night Test cricket two seasons ago, one of only two venues in the country to host day/night Tests.”
 
“We will break new ground in hosting a Test match over the Australia Day long weekend, an exciting prospect under lights.”

For the full summer cricket schedule, visit cricket.com.au
 


Media: 0419 620 447

Source: http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/4/30/gabba-to-host-daynight-test-over-australia-day-weekend