Success bodes well for future opportunities
THE Far North public have voted with their feet and it is huge tick for elite short-form cricket being hosted in our city.
After indifferent interest to the recent Sheffield Shield game and the Pakistan tour match against a bunch of kids in Cairns, women’s Big Bash cricket received the massive support that it deserved on Saturday afternoon as a big crowd turned up to watch a thrilling game.
The 4673 people through the gates at Cazalys Stadium was an excellent result and it was not far off the record crowd for the Heat.
That record was 5650 people in Mackay last weekend, the biggest-ever crowd at a stand-alone Heat WBBL game.
With no guarantees of AFL or NRL games coming back to the Far North anytime soon, cricket may just be what Cairns needs to continue to host elite sporting content going forward.
As the ground announcer kept proclaiming during the game on Saturday night, the Heat are very keen to keep the partnership between Cairns and their club going into the future.
And why wouldn't they, when they have engaged crowds supporting their games, instead of a near-empty Gabba which watched them record a win over the Mel- bourne Stars on Thursday.
The blokes’ version of the Big Bash has captured audiences over the last decade with massive sixes and quick bowling seeing the zing flashing bails go flying.
While the girls’ game on Saturday night had plenty of power hitting, hello Beth Mooney and Stafanie Taylor, it was their skill and finesse that stood out the most.
They still hit big sixes, but it was the reverse and lap sweeps that impressed, as well as other clever shot-making, quick running between the wickets and just general cricket smarts that purists of the game would have certainly appreciated.
The long-term goal for AFL Cairns, which owns Cazalys Stadium, has always been to host a men’s BBL game and maybe even return Test cricket to the venue, using the Shield, tour and WBBL games as a stepping stones to satisfy Cricket Australia.
Saturday evening’s engaged crowd, excellent atmosphere and praise of the facilities from the players has certainly done their chances the world of good.