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Spectators at Thursday night's Big Bash League match that was cut short due to a power outage will be given free entry to next week's Australia-Sri Lanka Test.
Key points:
- An external underground cable fault caused one of four light towers and a scoreboard to go black
- Ticket-holders of that match will get free entry to any day of next week's day-night Test
- Electricians confirmed internal power sources were now fully operational
An external underground cable fault caused one of four light towers and a scoreboard to go black, forcing the end of the match between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder.
Brisbane Heat were at the crease on 2-10 after three overs, chasing Sydney's 4-186.
The two sides were forced to share the points.
Ticket-holders of that match will be given free entry to any day of next week's day-night Test, which runs from January 24 to January 28.
Acting Premier Cameron Dick apologised for any inconvenience and said contingency efforts would be put in place.
"I don't think it's acceptable and I don't think anyone watching in the stadium or at home thinks it's acceptable, so we're taking steps to ensure to the best and maximum extent possible that doesn't happen again," he said.
"For the day-night Test next week there will be Energex Rapid Response crews … a very short way away from the Gabba — they'll be ready to respond to any power outage very quickly and that will be their sole responsibility.
"Energex is also working with Stadiums Queensland to ensure there is a quick switch from the primary power feed to the stadium to a secondary feed if that's required to ensure lighting is returned to the stadium as quickly as possible."
Mr Dick dismissed suggestions from Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington that the power outage was due to poor maintenance of the stadium.
"It's a power outage on the powerline on Stanley Street so in that sense it has nothing to do with the stadium itself," he said.
Power issue resolved within an hour
Katelyn Wall was at the match and said the crowd was given little information.
"I had to go on Twitter to find out what was happening because they didn't tell us a lot other than the game had to pause because the light went out," she said.
"I understand that from a technical point of view but we didn't get a whole lot of updates except through Twitter telling us what was happening."
She said spectators should not be penalised for the fault at the venue.
"We don't mind when it rains — we get it, that's weather for you — but when it's something that really should maybe have been controlled a bit better we really would appreciate a little bit more," Ms Wall said.
Energex spokesman Danny Donald said the issue was identified and resolved within an hour.
"An underground cable fault was located on Stanley Street between Gates 1 and 2 of the Gabba and while underground cable faults are quite rare, they're a lot harder to fault-find and repair," he said.
"Our crews, once on scene, were able to re-route power to get the stadium back up and running."
Stadiums Queensland said electricians confirmed internal power sources were fully operational and there was no risk to players or patrons.
Topics: cricket, sport, twenty20, brisbane-4000, qld, australia, woolloongabba-4102
First posted