It's a hard act to follow but David Sandurski has been named as the man to replace long time Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell.
Queensland Cricket said Mitchell would help Sandurski prepare the first Ashes Test wicket next month before walking away after almost 30 years in the job.
Mitchell began work at the Gabba in 1984 as an assistant to the curator - his dad who is also named Kevin Mitchell.
Mitchell took over from his father and has been head curator for 27 years before deciding to retire after the 2017 Ashes opener.
Under his watch Australia have not lost a first cricket Test at the Gabba since 1988.
Mitchell has been a staunch opponent of the Gabba using drop-in cricket pitches, like Melbourne and Adelaide, to cope with AFL traffic in the winter.
He caused controversy when the 2017 inaugural AFLW grand final had to be relocated to the Gold Coast in March after he had begun work on the first Ashes Test pitch at the Gabba, restoring damage from two Adele concerts.
The first Ashes Test starts on November 23.
Sandurski links with the Gabba after five years at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
He is also a former grounds manager at Brisbane's Allan Border Field.
"In that time, he worked closely with Kevin Mitchell Jnr and the Gabba team and so it is pleasing to have that continuity with the venue," Queensland Cricket CEO Max Walters said of Sandurski.
"Queensland Cricket congratulates Kev again on his wonderful career and contribution to sport in Queensland.
"We look forward to a successful Test match at the Gabba next month to cap off that career and at the same time, welcome David to the role."
Share
