Whole new ball game

First international cricket match expected to generate $1.8m for city

THE first international cricket match to be held on the Gold Coast will inject nearly $2 million into the city’s economy.

As flagged last week by the Bulletin, Cricket Australia yesterday announced Metricon Stadium, Carrara, will host a Twenty20 match between Australia and South Africa on November 17.

Tourism

Jones said Minister Kate the game would cricket matches”. “This is a great outcome for the Gold Coast because the Commonwealth Games proved that the Coast is a world-leading major events destination.

“We’re working hard with organisations like Cricket Australia to make the most of the Gold Coast’s reputation for major events and secure more sporting content.”

A drop-in pitch — costing nearly $1 million — will be used for the game.

Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan said the game “adds huge value for us because it brings people in from all over”.

“We know that transport to and from the stadium works and so it will also function as a catalyst for more spending.”

The Gold Coast Suns, with a 25-year lease of the Carrara venue for AFL, were integral to the deal because the football club carries the bulk of financial risk associated with hosting matches.

Gold Coast Suns chief executive Tony Cochrane said securing the game had taken “a lot of hard work”.

“To finally see a game come through is a great result. But we will never be a big sporting hub unless we get the costs of the stadiums under control. They are a big imposition, be it for the AFL or for concert promoters.

“These costs must be brought down to something which will work in a community like the Gold Coast.”

The Suns and cross-code counterparts, the Titans, are battling for government-backed Stadiums Queensland to reduce the rental costs to play at the city’s two major sports venues, Metricon Stadium and Cbus Stadium at Robina.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland yesterday said “cricket continues to look beyond its traditional boundaries by taking our game to new and exciting venues and locations”.

How the deal was stitched, P38