A new cricket ground should be built to replace Gabba as per Allan Border, the former Australian Cricket Team captain after it was revealed that iconic venue will not be hosting test matches from 2026/27 season.
Cricket Australia (CA) made a decision to retain MCG and SCG for Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests respectively up to 2030/31 while there are ongoing talks about future international cricket in Queensland as Gabba is only guaranteed of hosting Tests in the next two years.
This will be the first time since the 1976-77 season that the Gabba has not been used for a Test Match after 2026-27.
Presently, it is scheduled that Gabba will host third India-Australia test of this year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy during December and second test match of Ashes of next year which is a day-night game.
Border notes that another stadium is necessary due to outdated facilities at the current one and logistics challenges surrounding it.
“(The Gabba) is a good Test match wicket but it’s an old facility,” he said. “It’s now ranked No.5 or six in the country behind others that have been rebuilt in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth — and the one in Adelaide is fantastic with the hotel right on the ground as well.”
“So we’re slipping down. It’s great to play on but you can’t get there by train as easily like other grounds. When you come out of here at night time after a big game with 40-50,000 people here, it’s just impossible. Smash it down for all those reasons,” Border told Nine’s Today show.
This comes after Queensland government scrapped a $2.7bn plan to knock down and rebuild Gabba for 2032 Olympic Games.
Instead, funds are being channeled towards QSAC, Suncorp Stadium, and gabba renovations were announced this week.
An independent review also rejected a $3.4bn proposal for a new oval stadium at Victoria Park for the 2032 Olympics by the Queensland government.
Speaking to media during the launch of CA’s Play Cricket Week, Australia captain Pat Cummins has given his perspective on what is happening at the Gabba.
“We love playing at the Gabba. We’ve lost a couple of times there in last few years, but overall our record is great there. The Queensland crowds are also good, it’s always nice weather, so we really like playing up there. We’ll wait and see what happens. At least the next two years are still locked away the Gabba, so we’ll work it out after that,” he said.
