Townsville’s growing reputation for excellence attracts England’s best Get ready to go Barmy
TOWNSVILLE Cricket president Peter Fry is looking forward to the day England’s Barmy Army turns up in force at Tony Ireland Stadium.
The Riverway venue is set to host England later this year ahead of the Ashes series opener on November 23 in Brisbane, with the English to play a tour match against a Cricket Australia XI. 34.
Townsville last hosted an English national cricket team during the 2012 under- 19 Cricket World Cup played at Tony Ireland and the Murray Sports Complex.
The visit must have made an impression on England team staff, who also stayed in Townsville for warm- up games before that year’s tournament.
“England had a great time here and I worked closely with them,” Fry said. “The team management said this was a fantastic place to be accommodated while they acclimatised to the conditions.”
Tony Ireland has drawn a host of international matches in recent years, including last year’s quadrangular series between Australia A, India A, South Africa A and the National Performance Squad.
It also hosted last year’s international Twenty20 series between Ireland and Papua New Guinea.
“Nothing’s been confirmed with me at this stage but it’s exciting nonetheless,” Fry said.
“The word is starting to get out more about the facilities we have here, and there is that ability for teams to be based around Riverway and have everything they need within walking distance. It’s going to provide a good economic injection to the city as well, not just with visitors from around the country but from England as well, including the Barmy Army. Hopefully they turn out in force.”
Former Townsville Brothers player and current Queensland Bull spaceman Luke Feldman said Townsville’s standing within the cricket community could not be underestimated.
Feldman said the importance of a venue’s reputation among players went a long way towards it attracting big matches.
“Obviously there’s some tracks around the country that players don’t look forward to playing at, but by all reports Townsville is not one of them,” he said.
“It ( Tony Ireland) is a class facility and the boys thought it was a first class ground when they were here for the Sheffield Shield match at the end of last year.
“It’s a shame I didn’t get to play, but everyone thought very highly of it.”
Some of cricket’s international stars, including Joe Root, Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad, are set to play at Tony Ireland for the yet confirmed tour match, which is expected to be played mid- November.
“To get a proper Ashes squad here will be great for the region,” Feldman said.
“You have your first class cricket, and then you have a squad like England’s.”