DROP-IN WICKETS OPPOSED FOR GABBA

Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Graham Dixon today outlined Queensland Cricket's strong opposition to the possibility of drop-in wickets being introduced at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.

Dixon said the chief objection to drop-in wickets was for reasons of performance.

"The technology surrounding drop-in wickets is adequate but it does not compare to the conditions produced by a permanent wicket block," he said.

"The two instances where drop-in wickets are used regularly, at the MCG and in New Zealand, are due to the fact that the weather conditions make it hard to prepare cricket wickets. The conditions in Brisbane are vastly different and we are very fortunate to be able to prepare wickets in the normal manner as is the case around the world."

"If the technology reaches a point sometime in the future where a drop-in wicket is able to satisfactorily replicate the performance of a permanent block, and at no additional cost to Queensland Cricket, then we would be open to discuss the concept."

"But our position is that the Gabba is an outstanding example of a multi-purpose venue and that the Lions and Queensland Cricket have co-existed very successfully for a number of years. In the Bulls and the Lions we have provided two of the outstanding domestic sporting teams in recent years while the venue has an international reputation as one of the best in world cricket."

Dixon also refuted comments that the wicket block was being prepared for cricket prior to the Brisbane Lions match against Port Power on the weekend.

"I was a little bemused at comments on the weekend that the block was being worked on for cricket. It has always been the case that the curator Kevin Mitchell Junior does not do any work on the block in preparation for the cricket season until after the Lions final training session of their season."

"I can state very clearly that there is no requirement from cricket's point of view to have any preparation of the wicket block until after the Lions have finished their playing and training commitments, as our first match is not until October 14."

"The Gabba is a world class cricket venue, with its two biggest advantages being the 40,000 capacity and the wicket which is regarded as one of the best in international cricket," Dixon said.

Dixon said the Gabba may also feature in calculations for future international cricket events should Cricket Australia elect to bid for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

The Gabba will celebrate 75 years as a Test cricket venue in the 2006-07 season when England is scheduled to tour for the Ashes.