The Palaszczuk Government will spend a share of $19 million on a national cricket campus in the inner north-side suburb, part of a three-stage investment to position the Allan Border Field complex as a hub for matches and talent development.

Already the home of women’s cricket and a popular choice for state, national and youth championships, the upgraded facility will also give the game’s administrators an alternative venue for international test matches and other big drawcard fixtures when redevelopment of the Gabba begins.

While a start-date for the Gabba’s transformation into Olympic stadium for the 2032 games in Brisbane is yet to be announced, planning to provide cricket fans an alternative venue is now in train, with the Allan Border Field refurbishment to meet the ICC standard for international cricket.

Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the centre wicket block had been expanded to 11 turf wickets and the eastern boundary stretched by 13 metres to meet the ICC’s international cricket requirements.

“Field lighting has been upgraded with the renovation of the playing surface and new broadcast TV infrastructure including wiring for stump cameras and microphones,” he said.

“Next door at Ray Lindwall Oval, five new international standard training wickets have also been built to create a new international cricket precinct for games and training.

“Together with Allan Border Field, this puts Albion on the map as a very attractive destination for international cricket teams playing and training in Queensland.”

The National Cricket Campus is spread over two sites including Allan Border Field and the Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club grounds at Shaw Road, Kedron.

Upgrades at Kedron include an ultramodern pavilion, new turf wickets on three ovals, 16 turf practice wickets with nets, new lighting, more car parking and better public facilities.

The Palaszczuk Government contributed $7 million to the campus with funding also from the Federal Government, Cricket Australia, Queensland Cricket and Brisbane City Council.

Hinchliffe said four Super 12 games of the T20 World Cup would be played at the Gabba from late October.

“There are also up to eight warm-up matches likely for the Gabba and the new international standard Allan Border Field,” Hinchliffe said.

“We’re expecting a record six international touring teams in Queensland this summer, a test match in December and games in Townsville, Cairns and the Gold Coast.”