Gabba guaranteed international fixtures over next three years

Brisbane’s slide down the pecking order of Australian Test venues has been slowed by the announcement of a deal to guarantee international cricket at the Gabba for the next three summers, meaning the national team can hope to maintain its enviable record in Queensland.

Starting with the day-night Test against Pakistan this December, the Gabba will retain its share of matches in the foreseeable future, despite having become increasingly vulnerable to competition for fixtures from other venues, including the redeveloped Adelaide Oval.

This vulnerability had been exacerbated by an apparent lack of interest from the former state government in lobbying for Queensland’s share of international cricket, in direct contrast to South Australia in particular. This was hammered home by the Gabba’s peripheral role in last year’s World Cup, despite its reputation for having one of the fastest and truest cricket pitches in the world.

Elements of the venue and its surroundings have been targeted for upgrades, but the deal between Cricket Australia (CA), the …

continue reading in source www.espncricinfo.com