AusLeisure

The redeveloped Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay will host Australia A and New Zealand A fixtures as part of an international men's series later this year.

With its $25 million redevelopment, incorporating a new 2,000-seat grandstand, recently unveiled, Cricket Australia has announced that Australia A Men will host New Zealand A Men will play a four-day fixture and a one-day match at the North Queensland venue in September. Three other matches in the series will be played at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field.

The venue was recently officially opened with a Legends on the Lawn concert following a redevelopment that boosts the venue’s capacity to 10,000 and features undercover seating, media and broadcast facilities for AFL and cricket, new facilities for players and officials, corporate and events facilities.

Completed in March, the upgrade also introduced adjacent greenspace and public domain for music and cultural event facilities, community events plaza, walking tracks and new food and beverage outlets.

The new facility at Mackay’s Harrup Park, 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.

Harrup Park has successfully hosted Weber Women's Big Bash League matches in recent years with the WBBL Heat regular visitors during the summer.

Looking forward to international cricket at the new facility, Harrup Park Country Club and Mackay Cricket Association Chairman, Terry Doolan commented “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.”

Images: The Great Barrier Reef Arena. Credit: Mackay Cricket Association.

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