New Delhi: In a shocking statement, former Australian cricketer Allan Border has called for the desecration of the Gabba in Brisbane. Border suggested that a new stadium must be constructed from scratch which can cater to the upcoming Olympics which is supposed to take place in Brisbane in 2032.
Gabba, which has been seen as the fortress of Australian cricket was breached by the Indian national cricket team after the men in blue defeated the Kangaroos 2-1 to script a famous win and clinch the Border-Gavaskar trophy. The Queensland government recently announced a $ 2.7 billion to rebuild the entire stadium. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, these plans were scrapped at the last moment.
The money instead was invested in the upgradation of the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC), Suncorp Stadium while a part went for the upgradation of the Gabba stadium as well. People now believe that Border’s statements came against the backdrop of these decisions from the government. Moreover, Border also revealed his grand plans of constructing a 60,000-seat stadium the facilities for rugby (Australian rules) and cricket which he revealed to The Courier Mail.
“Nobody wants to touch the hot potato…”- Allan Border
Meanwhile, Allan Border has revealed that “Because we have an election coming up, nobody wants to touch the hot potato…”On the other hand, former Australian cricketer Ian Healy said that cricket is reaching a period of uncertainty as the elections come up in October. So far, the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to take place in Gabba.
Healy chalked out the plans that Brisbane has ahead, “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…”
Amidst this tug-of-war that goes on at the back of Brisbane cricket, Border’s plans look very ambitious and adventurous.