HEAT STAR CALLS FOR INTERCITY CEASEFIRE
BRISBANE Heat master blaster Ben Cutting has called on Gold Coast cricket fans to embrace – and not denigrate – their northern neighbours when the Big Bash League arrives on the Glitter Strip for the first time in December.
The Heat all-rounder hit the Coast recently to promote the release of tickets for the Heat’s maiden Metricon Stadium fixtures against Hobart (December 22) and Sydney Sixers (January 1).
While Brisbane and the Coast have often endured a love-hate relationship in the sporting arena, Cutting, 31, said he hoped supporters would put rivalries aside for six weeks this summer.
“I’d like to think so. Even if they are from Brisbane or other cities or other states, I’d like to think most of them will get stuck into a Heat jersey or Heat shirt for our games (on the Coast),” Cutting, fresh off a stint in the Caribbean Premier League, said.
“(Metricon) is pretty cool. I think the way the Big Bash has gone with extending it to 14 games (per team), the more we can come down here and take games to the Gold Coast so we don’t overflood the market at the Gabba (the better).”
While the possibility of a Gold Coast BBL franchise has been floated, Cutting, who left for the Afghanistan Premier League on Tuesday, said he was happy with the make-up of the eight-team competition.
“I think it’s perfect the way it is at the moment.”