NSW Government shells out for Twenty20 cricket

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that the NSW Government is to spend $1.4 million to ensure it hosts four international Twenty20 cricket matches in the next four years.

The spend was criticised as a waste by one SMH cricket source because the region would have gotten some such matches in the next few years anyway

The matches will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park, rather than cricket's traditional venue in the city, the Sydney Cricket Ground.

NSW was not hosting any international Twenty20 match in 2010-11, said the region's Minister for Major Events, Ian Macdonald, so "the NSW government took action, partnering with Cricket NSW, to secure this great event for Sydney."

A Cricket Australia spokesman said that, as NSW was the biggest cricket market in Australia, Sydney had been likely to host one or two matches in the next four years.

Image: Twenty20 cricket at ANZ Stadium

12th March 2010 - INTERNATIONAL TWENTY20 HEADING TO ANZ STADIUM