The South Africans may have decided they didn’t want to come to Test cricket’s new party – the one that takes place at night – but Pakistan are game. As part of a deal that ensures Test cricket will be played in Brisbane for the next three years, Australia are to face Pakistan in a day-night Test this December.
The first Test of the series against Pakistan will take place under lights at the Gabba, with the first Test of next year’s Ashes, and another Test against an as-yet unannounced opponent to be played in Brisbane in 2018.
International one-day and T20 cricket will also be played at the venue over the coming three years as part of the deal between Cricket Australia, the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council.
“Australia’s record at the Gabba has been exceptional and the fact we remain undefeated at the Gabba since 1988 underlines that record. As a consequence the Australian players always look forward to a Gabba Test,” said CA head of performance, Pat Howard.
“The first Gabba day-night Test will be a wonderful occasion. It’s a great opportunity for the Queensland fans to come in school holidays and it is an ideal way to celebrate the partnership with very accessible ticket pricing.
“We are all excited to see what it will be like to play in front of what is expected to be a massive Gabba crowd.”
Tickets for all this summer’s international cricket action go on sale today, including the series against Pakistan, the Test series against South Africa, the one-day series against New Zealand and Pakistan, and the T20 internationals against Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, tickets are set to be cheaper than last season’s prices, with Cricket Australia announcing “entry level tickets for international matches from $30 for adults, $10 for children and $65 for families at venues in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne, and from $25 for adults, $8 for children and $54 for families in Hobart, making the summer of cricket even more appealing and affordable.”
“We have made tickets available for purchase much earlier this year in order to give fans more time to plan their summer ahead and we encourage people to purchase tickets now and guarantee the seats they want,” said CA CEO James Sutherland.
With the Gabba having recently undergone a $1 million upgrade of its lighting facilities, interim Queensland Cricket CEO Michael Kasprowicz said the Gabba would be the perfect venue for day-night cricket.
“Queensland Cricket is excited about the prospects of the day-night Test, and believe that the Gabba pitch, outfield and lighting will complement the pink ball and make for a competitive and entertaining spectacle,” Kasprowicz said.
“Likewise, the return of England for an Ashes series next year is always eagerly anticipated. Australia’s first Test record at the Gabba is second to none and England always seems to struggle when they start a series here.”
| Match Dates | Match Details | Venue, State | Ticket Agency |
| Commonwealth Bank Test Series v South Africa | |||
| 3 November – 7 November | Australia v South Africa | WACA, Perth | Ticketmaster |
| 12 November – 16 November | Australia v South Africa | Blundstone Arena, Hobart | Ticketek |
| 24 November – 28 November | Australia v South Africa | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | Ticketek |
| Victoria Bitter One Day International Series v New Zealand | |||
| 4-Dec | Australia v New Zealand | SCG, Sydney | Ticketek |
| 6-Dec | Australia v New Zealand | Manuka Oval, Canberra | Ticketek |
| 9-Dec | Australia v New Zealand | MCG, Melbourne | Ticketek |
| Commonwealth Bank Test Series v Pakistan | |||
| 15 December – 19 December | Australia v Pakistan | Gabba, Brisbane | Ticketmaster |
| 26 December – 30 December | Australia v Pakistan | MCG, Melbourne | Ticketek |
| 3 January – 7 January | Australia v Pakistan | SCG, Sydney | Ticketek |
| Victoria Bitter One Day International Series v Pakistan | |||
| 13-Jan | Australia v Pakistan | Gabba, Brisbane | Ticketmaster |
| 15-Jan | Australia v Pakistan | MCG, Melbourne | Ticketek |
| 19-Jan | Australia v Pakistan | WACA, Perth | Ticketmaster |
| 22-Jan | Australia v Pakistan | SCG, Sydney | Ticketek |
| 26-Jan | Australia v Pakistan | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | Ticketek |
| KFC T20INTL Series v Sri Lanka | |||
| 17, 19 & 22 February with locations of matches to be confirmed at a later date | |||
BurgyGreen
Guest
I'm looking forward to Pakistan coming. They're one of the better sides going around at the moment with a few good bats and a really solid attack, including the only truly Test-class leggie in the game. If South Africa can put themselves back together before the summer starts we should have a more interesting season than the last two.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Price is right, time is right - just have to cross fingers and hope it doesn't rain that week. Because if it does, it will rain during the evening. Also anon - I don't think it's CA's fault that the international touring teams aren't that crash hot. ICC controls a large part of the fixturing, we can't play India and England every summer. Besides, Pakistan's seamers may just be a real handful with a pink ball. Wait and see. I think Day/Night test attendances will be permanently higher than day games. If they keep prices down and keep it accessible it could be a real boon for the game. I think regardless of who comes out to Australia though the BBL is always going to be massive. it's well entrenched and has a loyal following. Isn't that a good thing though?
anon
Guest
3 tests and 5 ODIs against Pakistan. CA must want BBL to go from strength to strength. Interest in the international summer will be finished by mid-December. Why not get rid of the first test and replace with 3 international T20 games. Green wickets and pick balls are gimmicks. Once everyone has been to one or two pink ball tests, they'll just revert to attending T20 games.