Testing waters for Big Bash bid

THE success of the city’s looming foray into international cricket will be used by the Gold Coast Suns to gauge the viability of a Big Bash League side to rival the Brisbane Heat.

While the growth of the 2018-19 BBL from 10 games a team to 14 has put expansion on the backburner, the hosting of the Coast’s maiden international fixture — a T20 between Australia and South Africa at Metricon Stadium in November — could lay the platform for the city’s own franchise in the future.

Suns chief executive Mark Evans said the idea of launching a BBL side on the Coast had not been discussed at board level or with Cricket Australia.

However, the club will seek feedback from fans, players and officials following November’s T20 — and positive reviews could be the spark for a Gold Coast BBL push.

“Gold Coast is Australia’s sixth-biggest city, Metricon Stadium is its best and biggest stadium and the people of the Gold Coast have proved over the last month (at the Commonwealth Games) they are very deserving of having more and more international and top grade content in the stadium,” Evans said.