HURRICANES ON THE WAY
Heat to face Sixers in New Year’s Day blockbuster
BIG Bash League 07 grand finalists Hobart Hurricanes will headline three BBL fixtures to be held at Metricon Stadium this season.
The Bulletin can reveal the Brisbane Heat will play the Hurricanes on December 22 before the Queensland side returns to Metricon Stadium on New Year’s Day for a blockbuster against the Sydney Sixers.
BIG Bash League 07 grand finalists Hobart Hurricanes will headline the fixtures to be held at Metricon Stadium that will help pump more than $12 million into the Gold Coast economy over the next three years.
The Bulletin can reveal the Brisbane Heat will play the Hurricanes on December 22 before the Queensland side returns to Metricon Stadium on New Year’s Day for a blockbuster against the Sydney Sixers.
It comes after the Gold Coast Suns won hosting rights for three BBL games for each of the next three seasons.
A third interstate team is expected to use the venue as an annual home game.
Cricket Australia, Brisbane Heat, Suns and State Government orepresentatives will announce the season fixtures at Metricon Stadium today.
The Gold Coast will now host four major T20 games this summer, with an international match between Australia and South Africa locked in for November 17.
Cricket Gold Coast president Dean Johnson predicted the arrival of the BBL to be a catalyst for further spikes in junior cricket participation.
We actually find that more kids sign up after the Big Bash or when it’s on,” Mr Johnson said. “Kids actually get interested in cricket when they watch the Big Bash and then you usually see new players sign on either after Christmas or early January because they have been watching it over the summer holidays.”
Mr Johnson said the next logical step would be to introduce a Gold Coast team into the BBL and believed there was enough interest to make it successful.
“There would be enough interest on the Gold Coast for it,” he said. “I know a lot of kids travel up to watch the Brisbane Heat and I’ve done it myself with my mine.”
Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon said continuing to bring major sporting events to the Gold Coast in the wake of the Commonwealth Games was critical.
“We’re working hard to build the profile of the Gold Coast as the major events capital of Australia,” Scanlon said.
“Following the success of the Commonwealth Games, sport’s an important part of that strategy.
“Limited overs cricket is one of the fastest-growing sports and we know the Big Bash is has gone from strength to strength in the last few years.”