Magazine - International Cricket Coming to ANZ Stadium

By Editor in Cricket on 31st Mar 2010 10:35

International cricket in Sydney will be shifted from the Sydney Cricket Ground for the first time in 128 years under a new tenancy agreement struck by Cricket New South Wales, the Premier Kristina Keneally announced today
 
As The Herald exclusively revealed on March 9, a deal was struck between the NSW state government and CNSW, for four international Twenty20 fixtures to be played at ANZ Stadium, attracting crowds of up to 80,000 each.

The SCG has seating capacity of 46,000. The SCG has hosted every international cricket match played in Sydney - outside of the unofficial World Series Cricket - dating back to the Australia-England Test of 1882.

The international clashes at ANZ Stadium could include Australia v India in 2011/12, Australia v South Africa in 2012/13, Australia v England in 2013/14, and Australia v India in 2014/15. Cricket NSW chief executive David Gilbert, said holding international Twenty20 games at ANZ Stadium would help further showcase the popular form of the game. "We look forward to staging exciting, world class cricket in front of local fans, along with the visitors from around the world we expect these matches to attract," he said.

The Herld understands CNSW had initially hoped to stage a 50-over international match at Homebush Bay - as well as the T20 fixture - but were scuppered after the Commonwealth Bank and Cricket Australia expressed their displeasure at matches being shifted to ANZ Stadium. Commonwealth Bank is naming rights sponsor of CA's home one-day international series, and its sponsorship deal with the national cricketing body is understood to be worth $20 million.

ANZ Stadium has previously hosted domestic Twenty20 and one-day games.

The International Cricket Council in December gave ANZ Stadium accreditation to host international fixtures, despite the venue not meeting specified requirements on ground size, with one boundary believed to be one metre too short. However, sources say that up to 60 per cent of international venues fail to meet the playing arena requirements including Eden Park in Auckland, while there is also doubt about the narrow layout of Adelaide Oval.

Source & More: www.smh.com.au

Read more articles in Cricket, by Editor or from March 2010.