Advertisment

General News

19 July, 2022

Major boost to region’s cricket

ONE-DAY International Cricket making a return later this year will provide a major boost for the sport in the Cairns and far north region, according to the game’s local officials.

By David Gardiner

(Back Row) Joe Salerno, Ashton Salerno, Xavier Currtin, Liam Harris (Front) Mason Salerno
(Back Row) Joe Salerno, Ashton Salerno, Xavier Currtin, Liam Harris (Front) Mason Salerno

For the first time in nearly a decade in Cairns, the three One-Day International (ODI) day-night games will be played from September 6-11 between Australia and New Zealand at Cazalys. 

The Cairns ODIs follow soon after Australia hosts ODIs with Zimbabwe in Townsville. 

Local cricket, which will help host the internationals, comprises of six first grade sides and numerous other grade sides including juniors, all excited that their Aussie cricket heroes are coming to Cairns to compete against their trans-Tasman rivals, the Black Caps. 

pg-28—img_0109.jpg

Peter Huey, president Cairns Cricket Association said not only will the games be a major boost for the region in international sport tourism, but also from a cricket perspective, the three ODIs will provide a huge inspiration for the sport locally. 

“It’s phenomenal that we’re going to be able to see International Cricket, trans-Tasman cricket, played at the highest level at one of the best venues in Australia,” Mr Huey said. 

“We’re stoked and what it’s going to do for the growth of the sport and the recent lights being put in at Griffiths Park, it’s just going to be gangbusters we hope for our sport and for Cairns.” 

Mr Huey said junior cricketers will especially be looking forward to watching the international team players that they look up to. 

pg-28—img_0117.jpg

“When we were young we all looked up to like the Jeff Thompsons and the Dennis Lillees from my era. We enjoy catching up with them when they travel up for the Bulls Masters. And then you watch this new generation that’s coming through and their idols are like Steve Smith and Dave Warner, Marnus Labuschangne.” 

Up to 18,000 spectators could potentially go to watch the Cazalys day-nighters. 

“There is the old rivalry there and there are a lot of New Zealanders in and around Cairns and offshore, the spectacle itself and what it does for the tourism industry. We’re really going to see top-level stuff.” 

The other great news for the region’s cricket is that more of the sport will make a return to Cazalys, after years of the game not being played there much. 

pg-28—img_0119.jpg

“We’re looking to work on and improve our relationship with Cazalys and hoping that the future can bring some more cricket to the region, not just at the international level, with even local stuff. 

“We do have a national championship in late September, early October – the Bulls Masters which is open competition between the eight zones throughout Queensland, and they’ll all be travelling to Cairns In September. We’re hoping to be able to play a couple of games under lights over there at Cazalys as well.” 

The one-day internationals, those in cricket believe, will be a great restart for the sport in the region. 

“To have that level of cricket played I believe is certainly the best stepping stone we could possibly imagine to rekindle this relationship with one of the best sporting venues in the state.”

Advertisment

Most Popular