Mackay will maintain its place as regional Queensland\u2019s leading international cricket destination with Great Barrier Reef Arena to host two games featuring Australia A.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The newly-redeveloped arena, which underwent a $25.1 million facelift to deliver a new covered grandstand, facilities for elite players, match officials, broadcast TV crews and ability to host up to 10,000 spectators, will host a four-day clash and one-day match in September. The project, a partnership between the Harrup Park Country Club, Mackay Cricket Association, the Queensland and Australian Governments, creates an international standard sporting venue capable of hosting major national and international matches and carnivals.<\/p>\n
And it will be put to the test when the venue hosts a day-night pink-ball match between Australia A and New Zealand A on September 4 to 7, as well as a 50-over game on Sunday, September 10. <\/p>\n
The series, played before the Sheffield Shield season, will give those players a chance to push their case for selection in the 2023-24 summer of cricket, which features series against Pakistan and West Indies.<\/p>\n
Cricket Australia Executive General Manager, High Performance and National Teams Ben Oliver said the development of the country\u2019s next tier of players was a high priority. <\/p>\n
\u201cAustralia A and National Under-19 opportunities are a key part of Cricket Australia\u2019s strategic priorities for the next period,\u201d Oliver said. <\/p>\n
\u201cDeveloping and extending our next tier of players is one of our highest priorities. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted to be hosting reciprocal A series against NZ in 2023 and have a strong list of key series being planned for our male and female A and Under 19 squads. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe squad is looking forward to playing at the newly developed Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay in a pink ball four-day match and one-day match, as well as utilising the always excellent facilities at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.\u201d <\/p>\n
Harrup Park Country Club and Mackay Cricket Association Chairman Terry Doolan said the venue\u2019s upgrade and hosting of the international games would help promote the region as well as drive participation in Australia\u2019s No. 1 summer sport. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely grateful for the ongoing support we receive from Cricket Australia and can\u2019t wait to be involved in what will be a fantastic series between Australia A and New Zealand A at the Great Barrier Reef Arena,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The announcement comes just weeks after it was revealed <\/a>retired former Australian skipper Tim Paine would captain the Great Barrier Reef Rays in the Brisbane Preimer League.<\/p>\n matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n Originally published as International cricket series locked in for Mackay<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n