Cricket Australia (CA) boss Nick Hockley believes other capital cities have stadiums “well ahead” of Brisbane, as the future of the Gabba remains in limbo.
The Gabba, which will reach the end of its “useful life” by 2030, has lost its traditional first Test of the summer to Perth.
A new, albeit controversial, stadium is planned in Hobart as Tasmania prepares to enter the AFL in 2028.
CA could be tempted to bump Brisbane off the Test summer schedule if a state-of-the-art stadium is built in the Tasmanian capital.
Hockley insists Queensland sports fans deserve a “long-term solution” after the state’s government rejected a proposal to rebuild the Gabba, as well as an alternative plan for a new stadium to host the 2032 Olympics.
“We’ve talked about the Perth Test; we’ve seen how having a city-centre, state-of-the-art stadium can be the catalyst for sport, but (also) more major events,” Hockley said at the MCG on Wednesday.
“The reality is the other major metros, now Tasmania with the prospect of a new stadium there, are well ahead in terms of the fan experience, the provision for players, just the ease of operation.
“We want to make sure, as best we can, that there’s a really fantastic solution for the long term for Queenslanders.”
Hockley had a major role in planning the 2012 London Olympics
“The Gabba is an iconic ground — there’s not a bad seat in the house,” he said.
“We want to be a really constructive partner with the Queensland government; myself having worked on the London Olympics, you don’t get many opportunities for real transformational change and a catalyst to invest.”
Australia will host India at the Gabba for the third Test of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series from December 14-18.
The last Test at the Brisbane stadium was the weakened West Indies’ famous upset of Australia in January.
AAP
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