Australia's cricketing fortress in Brisbane "has been guaranteed international matches for the next three summers" -- including confirmation of a coveted Ashes Test in '17, according to CRICKET.com.au.
A joint deal between Cricket Australia, the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council "starts this summer with the Gabba hosting a day-night Test between Steve Smith's side and Pakistan."
The Gabba, which has had a A$1M ($730,000) upgrade to its lighting ahead of this summer's day-night Test, has also been guaranteed Test cricket in '18-19 -- when India and Sri Lanka are due to tour -- as well as an ODI or T20 Int'l each season for the next three years.
CA Exec GM of Team Performance Pat Howard welcomed the Gabba deal as a chance to "continue Australia's Brisbane dominance." He said, "Australia’s record at the Gabba has been exceptional and the fact we remain undefeated at the Gabba since 1988 underlines that record." The deal comes as tickets go on sale for a blockbuster summer of int'l cricket that includes visits by South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka as well as Pakistan, with entry-level tickets as cheap as A$25 ($18) for adults.
However, the proposed day-night Test against South Africa "is yet to be confirmed, and tickets for the third Commonwealth Bank Test against the Proteas in Adelaide will not go on sale until a start time for the Test is confirmed" (CRICKET.com.au, 5/31).