Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
AUSTRALIA A TO HOST NEW ZEALAND A AT NEWLY REDEVELOPED CRICKET FACILITY IN MACKAY
Australia A Men will host New Zealand A Men for two four-day fixtures and three one-day matches in Queensland, including at the redeveloped Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
The new facility at Harrup Park confirms Mackay’s place as a national destination for cricket, with the $25.1 million project delivering a new covered grandstand, facilities for elite players, match officials, broadcast TV crews and ability to host up to 10,000 spectators.
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.
The venue will host the second four-day fixture from 4-7 September 2023 as a day-night pink-ball match, followed by a one-day game on Sunday, 10 September.
The remaining matches of the tour will be played at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, including a day-night one-day fixture on Wednesday, 13 September.
The series will be played prior to the commencement of the Sheffield Shield season, providing players an opportunity to push for national selection in the 2023-24 summer of cricket, which will include series against Pakistan and West Indies.
Cricket Australia Executive General Manager, High Performance & National Teams Ben Oliver said: “Australia A and National Under-19 opportunities are a key part of Cricket Australia’s strategic priorities for the next period. Developing and extending our next tier of players is one of our highest priorities.
“We 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.
“The 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.”
On hosting the fixtures at the new facility, Harrup Park Country Club and Mackay Cricket Association Chairman Terry Doolan said: “Great Barrier Reef Arena will inspire participation, celebrate community and promote the world-renowned natural wonders Mackay has to offer. We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support we receive from Cricket Australia and can’t wait to be involved in what will be a fantastic series between Australia A and New Zealand A at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.”
AUSTRALIA A V NEW ZEALAND A FIXTURES
Monday 28 – Thursday 31 August, 2023, Allan Border Field
Monday 4 – Thursday 7 September, 2023 (D/N), Great Barrier Reef Arena
Sunday, 10 September 2023, Great Barrier Reef Arena
Wednesday, 13 September 2023 (D/N), Allan Border Field
Friday, 15 September 2023, Allan Border Field
