MAKING A PITCH
ELITE CRICKET DRIVE: SPORT
QUEENSLAND Cricket is determined to bring elite cricket back to the Far North with the future of Cairns’ international double-header in doubt.
The men’s side is set to face the West Indies in a T20 World Cup warm-up match on October 6, while the Australian women’s side takes on New Zealand in an ODI on October 7, both at Cazalys Stadium.
An official decision about the men’s T20 World Cup is expected to be made at an International Cricket Council meeting on Friday, with the men’s game likely hinging on the outcome of that meeting.
Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said while there were a number of factors that could affect the outcome of the schedule, the state’s governing body remained committed to bringing elite cricket fixtures to the Far North.
“The signs are relatively positive for cricket in Australia at the moment – winter community cricket is under way in several states in the next week, which will be welcomed by many of our participants,” Svenson said.
“However, we are also guided by expert advice in these matters, and Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket are in close contact with government about what needs to happen for the games in Cairns and others in Queensland to take place as scheduled.
“There’s still plenty of work to do in that space.
“One thing though that should be clear to the Far North Cricket community, and all of regional Queensland, is that we have a genuine appetite to bring high-class games to regional Queensland for both the benefit of the wonderful cricket fans and also the local economy and surrounding regions.
“Our intention is to work alongside our local government partners and our grassroots cricket bodies to stage attractive and significant games in those venues which support and back cricket.”
Cricket Australia’s threematch ODI series against Zimbabwe next month has been postponed. Cricket Australia said factors including the short length of the series, the biosecurity measures that would need to be implemented and the potential risk to the health of those involved contributed to the tour’s postponement.
There is also a chance the men’s side will be in action earlier than October, after coach Justin Langer said he hoped a limited-overs tour of England could be arranged for September.