Allan Border Field upgrade completes National Cricket Campus
The National Cricket Campus in Brisbane has officially opened following the completion of the Allan Border Field redevelopment.
The $19 million elite cricket facility has been constructed over a three-stage construction schedule over the past three years, with the final stage being the redevelopment of Allan Border Field.
The redevelopment of the cricket ground featured an expansion of the main playing surface by 13 metres, a new and expanded wicket block with 11 turf pitches, field lighting, an electronic scoreboard, improved spectator viewing, a new ground profile with enhanced drainage and irrigation, new sight screens and permanent camera positions for broadcast and analyst content capture.
The adjacent Ray Lindwall Oval features five new international training pitches, including a subcontinent pitch, additional field and training nets lighting and an activation area.
As Australian Cricket’s leading national infrastructure project, the $19 million project was supported by the Australian and Queensland Governments, Brisbane City Council, Cricket Australia, Queensland Cricket, and Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club.
The Shaw Road complex redevelopment (completed in the first two stages) features three floodlit ovals, a players’ pavilion, and turf training facilities at the home of Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club.
The completed National Cricket Campus provides facilities that can be utilised by international, national, and state teams, pathway programs and community cricket clubs.
It also encompasses the Bupa National Cricket Centre at Albion which sits adjacent to Allan Border Field.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said the handover of Allan Border Field to complete the NCC project was cause for celebration.
“The National Cricket Campus has been a priority infrastructure project for Australian Cricket and today’s opening is a special moment for the many people who have worked so hard to turn this ambitious vision into reality,’’ he said.
“We thank the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council, Queensland Cricket and Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club for their wonderful support of the project.”
“The Allan Border Field redevelopment completes Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia’s commitment to create a 365-day facility that provides a world class training and playing environment for our elite national and state teams, as well as a fantastic facility for community use as we work together to inspire and develop the next generation of Queensland and Australian cricketers.”
“Cricket Australia thanks and congratulates the Queensland Cricket Board and staff, as well as staff at the Bupa National Cricket Centre for their dedication to the National Cricket Campus project and we look forward to seeing the redeveloped facilities in action,” he said.
Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the international transformation of Allan Border Field was the start of a big future for the National Cricket Campus.
“This is a $19 million, three-stage investment in Queensland’s place as an Australian leader in high-performance sport and talent development,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Today’s opening of Allan Border Field completes the National Cricket Campus, delivering a new home for women’s cricket and a premier venue for state, national and youth championships.
“Allan Border Field’s refurbishment at Albion upgrades the ground to ICC standard for international cricket, right down to the new white picket fences.”
Mr Hinchliffe said four Super 12 Games of the T20 World Cup would be played at the Gabba from late October.
“There are also up to eight warm-up matches likely for the Gabba and the new international standard Allan Border Field,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We’re expecting a record six international touring teams in Queensland this summer, a Test Match in December and games in Townsville, Cairns and the Gold Coast.”
