Here’s a pitch for our summer treat
GOLD Coast cricketers will be the test pilots for Metricon Stadium’s drop-in wicket ahead of the city’s introduction to international action this summer.
The Carrara venue will host Australia and South Africa in a Twenty20 international on November 17, as well as three Big Bash League fixtures on December 22, January 1 and January 5.
Before that, though, the grand finalists in Cricket Gold Coast’s pre-season T20 competition will test the facilities in their silverware decider on October 13.
The game, the culmination of the six-week T20 tournament beginning on September 8, will be played under lights from 7pm and offer prizemoney to the winning team.
Cricket Gold Coast senior director Peter Goodchap said he hoped the Metricon Stadium grand final would become an annual fixture on the city’s cricket calendar.
“We’d like to make it a regular thing and have our T20 final there each year,” Goodchap said.
“Most people will go throughout their cricket career never playing at a major stadium so it’s a big opportunity.
“Because they have the drop-in wicket coming in ahead of the summer, (Metricon management) saw it as an opportunity to try to get a game in as practice for the wicket.
“It will be a white-ball Kookaburra, same as they use in the Big Bash.
“It will be a great opportunity for our guys to play under lights and test out the facilities.
“It’s a big deal for local cricketers.”
The T20 tournament will also serve as part of the selection process for the Gold Coast Thunder team to compete at the Bulls Masters T20 Challenge in September.