Cricket at Metricon stadium

[GcSunsfan]

 

[GcSunsfan]

Cricket is a step closer to coming to the Gold Coast following the installation of drop-in wickets at Metricon Stadium in a Queensland first.

With just 79 days until the International T20 match between Australia and South Africa to take place at Metricon Stadium, GC SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans confirmed the wickets had successfully been installed without any hiccups.

“It’s a very exciting day for the Gold Coast SUNS, Metricon Stadium and more importantly the people of the Gold Coast, Cricket is coming,” Evans said.

“In conjunction with Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket, Metricon Stadium staff have successfully installed the very first drop-in cricket wickets at a Queensland venue.”

Drop-in wickets have been used in Australian stadia since 1996 and are currently in use at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Spotless Stadium (Sydney), Etihad Stadium (Melbourne), Optus Stadium (Perth) and Adelaide Oval.

Cricket Australia’s Head of Cricket Operations, Peter Roach said the Gold Coast SUNS, who manage Metricon Stadium, had been working with the national body to ensure an appropriate wicket is prepared.

“We’ve been working closely with Metricon Stadium and Queensland Cricket to ensure their pitch will deliver competitive and exciting cricket for fans for all the matches being hosted there.

“Metricon has two new drop-in pitches that are ready to go to host this content and we are all confident that they will provide great surfaces for terrific games of Twenty20 cricket.”

Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer, Max Walters highlighted the importance of today’s milestone.

“This is a significant milestone and one that takes us a step closer to seeing elite cricket played at a new venue and in front of new Queensland fans,” Walters said.

“We are bringing these games to the Gold Coast with great excitement and anticipation as we know what impact showcasing international cricket and the Big Bash League will have on our sport in the region and across the state.”

Tickets to the International T20 between Australia & South Africa, to be held on November 17 are currently on sale via ticketek.com.au

Tickets for all three Big Bash matches to be held at Metricon Stadium will be on sale in October, visit bigbash.com.au for details.

2018-19 Metricon Stadium Summer of Cricket

• Sat 17 Nov, Australia v South Africa, 6:20pm start
• Sat 22 Dec, Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes, 6pm start
• Tues 1 Jan, Brisbane Heat v Sydney Sixers, 1:45pm start
• Sat 5 Jan, Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder, 5:45pm start

Metricon Stadium Drop in Wickets – Facts

• Pitches were established in January
• Pitches have been prepared in bespoke trays, specifically designed for Metricon Stadium based on learnings from other major venues
• Wicket soil is the same clay as the Gabba with the intent being to replicate Gabba playing conditions
• Pitches have been built in 2 full-length trays, the trays are separated in halves for transport;
• Trays weigh around 15 tonne each, therefore 30 tonnes for a full wicket;
• The process after installation in the main field is water immediately to promote establishment of the turf before a program of intensive rolling to remove any unevenness attributable to the move

 

[GC2015]

Gold Coast cricketers to play pre-season game at Metricon ahead of city’s intro to top-level action

GOLD Coast cricketers will be the test pilots for Metricon Stadium’s drop-in wicket ahead of the city’s introduction to international action this summer.

With Metricon to host Australia and South Africa in a Twenty20 international on November 17, as well as two Big Bash League fixtures on December 22 and January 1, the grand finalists in Cricket Gold Coast’s pre-season T20 competition will test the facilities in their silverware decider on October 13.

The game, the culmination of the six-week T20 tournament beginning on September 8, will be played under lights from 7pm and offer prizemoney to the winning team.

CGC senior director Peter Goodchap said he hoped the event would become an annual fixture on the city’s cricket calendar.

“We’d like to make it a regular thing and have our T20 final there each year,” Goodchap said.

“Most people will go throughout their cricket career never playing at a major stadium so it’s a big opportunity. Because they have the drop-in wicket coming in ahead of the summer, (Metricon management) saw it as an opportunity to try and get a game in as practice for the wicket.

“It will be a white-ball Kookaburra, same as they use in the Big Bash. It will be a great opportunity for our guys to play under lights and test out the facilities.

“It’s a big deal for local cricketers.”

The T20 tournament will also serve as part of the selection process for the Gold Coast Thunder team to compete at the Bulls Masters T20 Challenge in September.

 

[Matchu]

Gold Coast cricketers to play pre-season game at Metricon ahead of city’s intro to top-level action

Adding to the Spring-Summer schedule at Metricon:

5-6 October: NFL International Combine
13 October: Cricket Gold Coast T20 Final
17 November: T20 International Australia v South Africa
22 December: BBL Heat v Hurricanes
1 January: BBL Heat v Sixers
5 January: BBL Stars v Thunder

 

[GC2015]

Southport Labrador and Alberton Ormeau on track for Gold Coast T20 final after weekend wins

SOUTHPORT Labrador’s stunning pre-season T20 form has come as no surprise to player-coach Simon Belston, who says the Tigers have to talent to carry their momentum into the Kookaburra Cup.

Sixth overall in Cricket Gold Coast’s mixed first grade competition last season, the Tigers made it three T20 wins from three on Saturday with bonus-point victories over Runaway Bay and Mudgeeraba Nerang at Arundel.

The results leave Southport and Alberton Ormeau, who thumped Broadbeach Robina at Trevor Hammel Field, as the only unbeaten teams heading into the T20 competition’s third and final round this Saturday.

While others can mathematically catch them, the two sides now have one foot in the final, to be played at Metricon Stadium on October 13.

For Belston, who has joined the Tigers after steering Burleigh to last season’s Kookaburra Cup crown, success has never been in question.

“I’m not surprised, I’m put in there to do a job. It’s a good place to be around,” he said.

“Over the last 12 weeks I’ve been around the club in pre-season and they’ve made me feel welcome, which is very important to me, the boys are right behind us. It’s free-flowing.”

The Tigers made light work of Runaway Bay, skittling them for 62 inside 19 overs before cruising to victory with seven wickets and more than 12 overs to spare.

Having secured a double bonus point, Southport (6-141) then backed it up against Mudgeeraba (8-91) on the back of an 87-run opening stand from Nic Peterson (45) and Harry Maher (42).

Oliver McGee also shone with 4-9 from four overs.

Alberton (6-214) flexed their muscle with a bonus-point win over Broadbeach (7-114), with top-order batsmen Matthew Yiend (86) and Josh Kelly (59), and medium-pacer Shane Connors (3-17) the standouts.

Ben O’Connell top-scored for the Cats with 49, while Jack Kann took 3-44.

At Hession Oval, a Chris Swan masterclass of 4-16 helped Surfers Paradise chase down Burleigh’s 8-108 with six wickets and two overs to spare.

Jayden Hoare top-scored with 22 not out for the Bullsharks, while Nathan Reardon made 28 for the Demons.

ROUND 2 RESULTS

■ Runaway 62 def. by Southport Labrador 3-63

■ Queens 4-135 def. by Coomera Hope Island 7-139

■ Burleigh 8-108 def. by Surfers Paradise 4-109

■ Palm Beach Currumbin 8-120 def. by Helensvale Pacific Pines 3-122

■ Alberton Ormeau 6-214 def. 7-114

■ Southport Labrador 6-141 def. Mudgeeraba Nerang 8-91


Getting very close to locking in the first cricket fixture at Metricon!

 

[GC2015]

The 2018 Gold Coast T20 Final to be played at Metricon on October 13 is set - Alberton-Ormeau vs Southport-Labrador.

Alberton Ormeau president Beau Hawkins says new joint venture can make a statement in T20 final

ALBERTON Ormeau president Beau Hawkins says the joint venture has been given a golden opportunity to make a statement to its Cricket Gold Coast rivals after booking a ticket to next month’s Twenty20 grand final.

Kookaburra Cup wooden-spooners last season, the Hurricanes continued their perfect run in CGC’s new pre-season T20 competition on Saturday with a 58-run win over Palm Beach Currumbin at Trevor Hammel Field.

Their fourth-straight victory came courtesy of Corey Galloway (42 not out) and Nick Yule (4-17), with the latter combing with Shane Connors (31) to lay the platform for a total of 6-150.

Yule and Galloway (3-9) then delivered to coup de grace to skittle the Lions for 92 and book a showdown with fellow unbeaten side Southport Labrador in the October 13 final at Metricon Stadium.

Hawkins, who has overseen Alberton’s off-season merger with junior club Ormeau on the advice of CGC and Gold Coast City Council, said the club was desperate to build on the early momentum.

“(The final) is more help for the club to get its name out there and say ‘we’re not the same side as last year where everyone would come to the club expecting to win’. The boys have a real belief in their own ability,” Hawkins said.

“The merger has been really smooth. The people (from Ormeau) are easy to deal with and we have five senior sides this season for the first time in about 15 years.

“(Ormeau) were started by a guy from our committee about 25 years ago and originally they had the same colours as well, so it like the wheel has gone full circle with us coming together.

“Our three big recruits have been massive. When you recruit key players like Shane Connors, Matt Yiend and Simon Mills, you’re hoping you will do well.”

Southport (9-135) also made it four from four against Surfers Paradise (84), with Matt Morris (65) and Simon Belston (4-22) doing the damage.

Helensvale Pacific Pines entered the final round as the only other team with a mathematical chance of making the final, but their hopes ended with a 42-run loss to Coomera Hope Island in their first game of the day.

 

[GC2015]

Gold Coast to host two Brisbane Heat matches plus a T20 international

WHO says you can’t attract a crowd to a sporting event on the Gold Coast?

Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium will become a major cricket venue for the first time this season, hosting two Brisbane Heat Big Bash games plus a T20 international between Australia and South Africa on November 17.

Already more than a third of the tickets to the T20 international have been sold and, particularly if local drawcard Chris Lynn plays, expectations are it will be the 22,000 sell-out it needs to be to justify the decision to play there.

All manner of football teams have struggled to attract crowds on the Coast so cricket will market aggressively in the hope of bucking the trend.

Big Bash games at the Gabba are regular 30,000-plus sell-outs so the pressure on the smaller Coast venue to attract sell-outs is significant.

Tickets for Big Bash games went on sale on Thursday and new Brisbane Heat signing, wicketkeeper Josie Dooley, celebrated the occasion by going for a dip in the waters she knows so well.

Dooley comes from a family of cricketers and surfers and her social media accounts are dotted with photos of her surfing.

Her father Jon was a long-serving first grader for Wests and brother Pat, an off-spinner, currently plays for the club.

Dooley was a Heat rookie last season but broke through with selection in the Governor-General’s XI against the touring English team as part of the Women’s Ashes.

Though yet to play a WBBL game, Dooley impressed during the winter tour of South Africa by the Australian Under-19 women’s team, scoring two half centuries.

One familiar face who won’t be seen for the Heat this season is experienced fast bowler Holly Ferling who will join the Melbourne Stars.

Ferling has also signed with Macquarie Sport Radio and drew favourable reviews for her insightful commentary of the women’s international at Allan Border Field on Monday.

Interesting to see they are forecasting a sell out for the international T20 game between Australia and South Africa next month. One third of the tickets have already been sold so I guess that's indicative of a probable sell out. No doubt Chris Lynn's inclusion in the national team will boost numbers. Also, tickets to the Brisbane Heat games at Metricon have gone on sale: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=BRISHEAT19

Tom Tate and Ben Cutting did a press conference on the Gold Coast two days ago to promote it:

It's important to remember this is huge for our (the Suns') future. We need T20 cricket to work on the Gold Coast to become financially profitable year-to-year. We also need to show Cricket Australia that there's an appetite for BBL cricket here and that they should award us our own franchise in the next few years.

 

[GC2015]

Due to wet weather, they postponed the Cricket Gold Coast T20 Kookaburra Cup Final that was supposed to be played at Metricon last night.

Also, it looks like we're producing some exciting cricket juniors on the Gold Coast:

Gold Coast Dolphins teen Hugo Burdon named in Cricket Australia’s Pathways Rookie Squad

TEENAGE batsman Hugo Burdon will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Gold Coast Dolphins teammate Xavier Bartlett after earning a place in Cricket Australia’s Pathways Rookie Squad for 2018-19.

Burdon, 16, is one of 39 players aged 15-17 chosen in the squad, which provides development opportunities for Australia’s next generation of stars.

The Miami resident is currently captaining Queensland at the national under-17 championships in Brisbane and Mackay.

Launched in 2015, the Pathways Rookie Squad program graduates list includes 19-year-old fast bowler Bartlett, who debuted for Queensland at the JLT One-Day Cup last month.

CA pathways manager Graham Manou said Burdon, who has not missed a first grade game for the Dolphins this season after debuting in Round 1, now had a golden chance to build on his promising foundations.

“The CA Pathways Rookie Squad is now entering its fourth season and gives our emerging male players the opportunity to develop both as cricketers and young men,” Manou said.

“It’s a chance for them to get specialist support at both a state and national level from a skills perspective, and also in areas such as their off-field education. A select group will then take part in a high-performance camp at the National Cricket Centre in 2019.

“We’re now starting to see players progressing from this program and representing their state sides, which is really pleasing. This year’s squad – like those in previous years – contains some really exciting young players and we hope this program continues to assist their holistic development.”

Burdon’s Dolphins clubmate, Delissa Kimmince, was on Tuesday named in Southern Stars squads for this month’s three-match ODI series against Pakistan in Malaysia and the Women’s World T20 in the West Indies from November 9-24.

Her teammates, Georgia Redmayne and Sammy-Jo Johnson, were part of history yesterday when they were named in the first official women’s Australia A touring party.

The side will play three one-dayers and three T20s in Mumbai from October 15.
Burdon’s Dolphins clubmate, Delissa Kimmince, was on Tuesday named in Southern Stars squads for this month’s three-match ODI series against Pakistan in Malaysia and the Women’s World T20 in the West Indies from November 9-24.

Her teammates, Georgia Redmayne and Sammy-Jo Johnson, were part of history yesterday when they were named in the first official women’s Australia A touring party.

The side will play three one-dayers and three T20s in Mumbai from October 15.

Wouldn't be surprised to see both Burdon and Barlett in a future Gold Coast BBL lineup. I'd say it's very likely that most professional cricketers from the Gold Coast are going to be TSS Old Boys due to their cricket programme through the highly regarded GPS competition. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing for that to be the case and we (the Suns) can use this opportunity to build a strong relationship with TSS, particularly if we are granted our own BBL franchise in the near future. Perhaps that's the way we loosen TSS's anti-AFL tired as well.

Excited to see where it takes us!

 

[Matchu]

The Gold Coast Dolphins played a cricket match under the lights at Metricon last night. I think it may have been the first cricket match to be played at Carrara since the early 90s.

 

[GcSunsfan]

 

[GC2015]

 

[GC2015]

Decided to look up how TSS perform in the GPS competition just to see where GC cricket stands. Turns out TSS are back-to-back GPS champions in 2017 and 2018! Pretty cool to see Gold Coast schools dominating sport at the highest level in the state in both cricket and footy. TSS also made the GPS rugby union final this year and PBC were crowned national schoolboys champions in rugby league as well. Good times for Gold Coast sport!

 

[Billy ray]

being pessimistic, i just get the feeling that cricket here this summr will be affected by rain and storms.
Wonder if they should schedule the games for early starts to ensure over by 3pm?!?
Or at least have that ability if forecast is like it is today and then next few days

 

[GC2015]

being pessimistic, i just get the feeling that cricket here this summr will be affected by rain and storms.
Wonder if they should schedule the games for early starts to ensure over by 3pm?!?
Or at least have that ability if forecast is like it is today and then next few days

Considering Brisbane are further north than us and don't seem to have any issues hosting night games, I'd be shocked if this were a reason to not give us a BBL team. Brisbane Heat's game schedule last season at the Gabba:

20 Dec 2017 - 6:40pm
27 Dec 2017 - 6:10pm
5 Jan 2018 - 6:10pm
10 Jan 2018 - 6:40pm
27 Jan 2018 - 6:20pm

 

[GC2015]

The first ever T20 International at Metricon is less than two weeks away! Who's going? I have my tickets. I'll be interested to see how local TSS boy Billy Stanlake goes in front of a home crowd in the green and gold.

 

[Jen2310]

Given today's result, I think we should be worrying about cricket in general

 

[SandyToes]

I find it hard to pay money to watch South Africa do anything
And after what happened at Newlands in March even less so
But I think its pretty much sold out

 

[GC2015]

Cricket Australia named the T20 team for the Metricon game today:

Australia T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

Awesome to see two former GC Dolphins and TSS Old Boys in Billy Stanlake and Ben McDermott being named. Here's hoping the local boys can put on a show at Metricon!

 

[GC2015]

Given today's result, I think we should be worrying about cricket in general

Nice to see the Aussies get one back last night though. I'd guess we'll get a slightly larger crowd should we win the ODI series tomorrow.

Also, I noticed a further two Gold Coasters have been named in the CA XI T20 squad: Max Bryant and Matthew Kuhnemann. Hopefully one day we see all these locals guys return home to play for our very own BBL franchise!

 

[Jen2310]

Nice to see the Aussies get one back last night though. I'd guess we'll get a slightly larger crowd should we win the ODI series tomorrow.

Also, I noticed a further two Gold Coasters have been named in the CA XI T20 squad: Max Bryant and Matthew Kuhnemann. Hopefully one day we see all these locals guys return home to play for our very own BBL franchise!

Yeah, that was nice. To finally get a win. Not sure if anyone expected it to happen, but in the end just outbowled them. It was very close though.

 

[GC2015]

Yeah, that was nice. To finally get a win. Not sure if anyone expected it to happen, but in the end just outbowled them. It was very close though.

I think you're right. I'd say optimism was at a very low point after what happened last week but as people often say in footy - a lot can change in a week. Clearly the batting is still a concern but it's funny how a win can sometimes kick things into gear so I'm hopeful of a better performance today. I feel today's game is relatively important for the Metricon game in 6 days because you always want to believe your team can win when you attend a sporting event. A win for Australia today would set things up nicely for a big crowd at the first ever international game to be played on the Gold Coast next weekend (we need a big crowd to push our case for a BBL franchise). Having said all that, recent reports suggest the game is almost sold out anyway so perhaps it won't make a huge difference.

Another note on a potential future Gold Coast-based BBL team - I think it would be worthwhile asking Andrew Symonds to get involved in coaching with us. He's an All Saints graduate (like a lot of our local Suns players) and played a fair bit of cricket for the Gold Coast Dolphins during his career so it would make sense to get him involved.

 

[SunsGal]

I find it hard to pay money to watch South Africa do anything
And after what happened at Newlands in March even less so
But I think its pretty much sold out

I bought tickets last night, still seems to be plenty if you don't mind your head touching the roof

 

[SunsGal]

The first ever T20 International at Metricon is less than two weeks away! Who's going? I have my tickets. I'll be interested to see how local TSS boy Billy Stanlake goes in front of a home crowd in the green and gold.

Me! Cricket bores me to tears and it'll be my second match for the day, but the things we do for the kids hey

 

[GC2015]

Melbourne Stars all-rounder Evan Gulbis believes the Gold Coast could sustain a BBL team

MELBOURNE Stars all-rounder Evan Gulbis believes the Gold Coast has the potential to sustain its own Big Bash League team as the city prepares for its first taste of top-level cricket.

Gulbis and teammate Liam Howe were joined on the Coast today by deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Optus Queensland state manager Mark O’Shea to announce the Stars’ January 5 BBL fixture at Metricon Stadium would be proceeded by a 45-minute set from renowned DJ Hot Dub Time Machine.

The game will follow the Coast’s maiden international fixture - a Twenty20 between Australia and South Africa on Saturday - and Brisbane Heat BBL games at Metricon against Hobart (December 22) and Sydney Sixers (January 1).

With Cricket Australia flagging the idea of BBL expansion in the years ahead, 32-year-old Gulbis, who is preparing for his fourth season with the Stars, said the Glitter Strip’s looming taste of top action could be just the start.

“I definitely could see it in the future,” Gulbis said the Coast having its own BBL side.

“The competition is really strong at the moment. I don’t know how much you want to tinker with that but I could definitely see a lot of games being played up here.

“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to come up (and play) and I’d like to come up in future years as well. There’s no better place when the sun’s out, you’re on the beach and you’re enjoying life.

“As a child I came up here a few times for family holidays so it’s fantastic to be back today and it will be great in January as well. There’ll be big hits, big wickets and big catches.

“It’s a fantastic pace to bring your families and I’ll really enjoy bringing mine up here for this season’s game.”

Bowe, a 21-year-old spinner with just six BBL games under his belt, called on Coast cricket fans to adopt the Stars when do battle in January.

“Hopefully we get a few green supporters. I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

“The weather will be great here … it’s a pretty nice place to travel up to. Hopefully if I get a crack I can cement a spot (this season) or at least continue positively. It’ll be tough for spots but if I get a go hopefully I can succeed.”

 

[GC2015]

The Bulletin takes a look at what a Gold Coast Big Bash League team could look like

Max Bryant
Blazing young opener who has busted through the Dolphins system and is destined for higher honours.

Tom Cooper
Northern Rivers product has proven one of domestic cricket’s most solid servants for the past decade.

Ben McDermott (wk)
Former Dolphins player who is these days lining up in Australia’s limited overs squads.

Nathan Reardon
Former Bulls batsman remains a force at BBL level while also giving back to the game on the Coast.

Nick Stevens
Talented former Bulls batsman switched to Valleys this season in order to reignite his game after a stop-start career.

Simon Milenko
Played 106 games across the grades for Dolphins including hitting 78 in a 2009-10 final win.

Michael Neser
The Dolphins star is these days entrenched in the Queensland line-up and fringes of the Aussie side.

Nick Buchanan
The former Dolphins quick has somewhat fallen from the scene in recent seasons but remains a genuine talent.

Matt Kuhnemann
Spinner this week picked up a Brisbane Heat deal and looks set for state honours across all formats.

Xavier Bartlett
Injury-hit paceman powered through the Dolphins to be a big part of Queensland’s JLT Cup campaign.

Billy Stanlake
Towering quick has established himself as an Aussie player in the shorter forms of the game.