Healy responds as Gabba reportedly left off seven-year Test venue rotation

Australian cricket great Ian Healy has responded to reports that the Gabba is set to be left out of a seven-year schedule for Test matches that will secure fixtures at the SCG, MCG and Adelaide Oval until the 2030-31 summer.

The report, which came from the Courier Mail, says that the Brisbane venue has been frozen out of the schedule due to concerns with the stadium’s future after the state government decided to abandon a $2.7 billion plan to rebuild the Gabba for the 2032 Olympics.

Instead of simply rebuilding the Gabba, the Queensland Government is set to share those funds across the Gabba, Suncorp Stadium and the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre for upgrades.

Healy says that the Gabba won’t get a Test during the 2026/27 summer with only three Tests scheduled across that December and January and he can understand why other cities are being prioritised.

He also says that Cricket Australia is anxious about the future of Brisbane cricket ahead of the 2024 state election in October.

“After India and the Ashes, the next season there are only three Tests (against New Zealand) and we've missed out, as you do because the newest stadium is the Adelaide Oval that holds more than ours,” Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.

“Other governments are investing in that, and I think the other states are investing in a seven-year rotation and Brisbane's stuck.

“It's frustrating Cricket Australia because they just can't talk to either side of our government because our state is shut down until after the election (on 26 October).

“It's a bit scary for our stakeholders, Cricket Australia is quite anxious about the future of Brisbane cricket.

“So, let's hope we get our wicket front and centre, and Australia gets some victories.”

While the Gabba typically hosts the opening Test across a five-match series or Ashes campaign, the venue hosts the third Test of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Series with Perth and Adelaide (day-night) going first.

Healy can see the Gabba also hosting a mid-December Test for the following Ashes campaign.

“Against India, it’s in mid-December, it's been moved,” Healy said.

“Someone bought the first Test of the series from under our feet, but I don't mind mid-December, let’s have a go at that with office Christmas parties just going on holidays probably.

“Let's see how it goes, and then I think the Ashes will be the same.

“There are some reports that it (the 2025 Ashes Test) might be a day-nighter … then the following year we miss out.”

The third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba in 2024 is set for December 14-18.