City welcomes T20 proposal

MANY Far Northerners love cricket and there are many local games played and being watched.

But top grade games are few and far between, even with the excellent facilities offered at Cazalys AFL ground.

The Westcourt stadium has hosted three elite cricket games over the last few years, including a WBBL contest, a Sheffield Shield game and a Pakistan tour match under lights.

Last year the WBBL game with the Brisbane Heat received great feedback and support.

Now a deal is in the final stages with the Australian men’s and women’s national cricket teams to play international T20 matches later this year.

The proposal is the men’s team facing the West Indies in a T20 contest with the women’s team to play New Zealand.

The game would bring the reigning T20 world champions, the West Indies, to Cairns, as well as world cricket superstars like David Warner, Aaron Finch and likely Steve Smith.

Queensland Cricket wants the regions to experience elite level games, not just confined to Brisbane.

Cairns has proven in the past that it can host first class cricket matches with the backing of Cairns Regional Council, local cricket authorities and Cazalys.

The support from patrons is vital to make it a spectacle as well financially viable.

There is no doubt having a West Indies men’s side and a women’s team from New Zealand are exciting prospects.

But the proposals need the backing of all stakeholders and as many bums on seats that Cazalys can fit.