T20 Cairns Gold Clash – Footy vs Cricket, in association with Hot Spring November 22, Cazalys Stadium Cairns
Cricket legend Brian Lara is the latest sporting superstar headed to Cairns for November’s inaugural T20 Cairns Gold Clash in association with Hot Spring.
In a massive coup for Australia’s newest must-see sporting event, Lara, one of global sport’s biggest names, will turn out for the Team Cricket squad against Team Footy alongside Australian cricket greats Usman Khawaja, Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey.
The T20 Cairns Gold Clashwill bring together the country’s biggest cricket, NRL and AFL names for a night of live entertainment, fan activations and family-friendly experiences at Cazalys Stadium on Sunday 22 November.
Fans can expect massive sixes, spectacular catches, big personalities, fierce rivalries and plenty of unpredictable moments as elite athletes swap codes and compete for victory.
Team Cricket, with Lara, Khawaja, Hayden and Michael Hussey joined by Aussie sporting icon Ash Barty, will take on a Team Footy outfit featuring Johnathan Thurston, Sam Burgess, Dale Thomas and Joel Selwood, with more local and international sporting legends and wildcard players still to be announced.
Team Footy will be coached by newly appointed England Test coach Stephen Fleming, one of world cricket’s most respected figures. The T20 Gold Clash concept was created by Fleming and international event promoters Duco Events, building on the success of the T20 Black Clash in New Zealand. The T20 Black Clash has been played in front of sold-out crowds and is New Zealand’s most-watched free-to-air sporting event of the year.
Lara holds the highest individual score in a Test innings, smashing 400 not out against England in 2004. He also achieved the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket, scoring 501 not out for Warwickshire in 1994.
The ICC Hall of Famer, who played for Team Rugby in the 2024 Black Clash, said he was excited to be playing in the first ever Australian edition of the concept.
“I had such a great time playing in the Black Clash and it was a pretty easy sell to come to a beautiful place like Cairns to play for Team Cricket in the Gold Clash,” Lara said.
“I don’t know too much about Team Footy but I have seen AFL and NRL over the years and I know they are all incredible athletes.
“It’s going to be so much fun and hopefully we will have a full house come and support Team Cricket.”
David Higgins of Duco Events said Lara was one of world sport’s biggest drawcards.
“Everywhere Brian Lara goes, he grabs attention, and we are very excited to have him as part of the inaugural T20 Cairns Gold Clash,” Higgins said.
“Brian’s an entertainer on and off the field and was very popular when he played in the Black Clash. He transcends generations of sports fans and people just want to see him in the flesh.”
Fans can secure their tickets from tomorrow, Thursday 20 August, at goldclash.com.au, and with early bird tickets starting at $69* for adults and $10* for kids, (*excluding transaction fees), strong demand is expected for the first Australian edition of the cross-code sporting extravaganza.
The T20 Gold Clash is supported by Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, Cairns Regional Council and Tourism Tropical North Queensland
