On the other hand, Optus Stadium is the envy of the rest of the country and one of the best grounds going around. But on the sidelines of the cricket, the campaigning is already under way for next summer, when the world’s number one Test playing nation, India, tour for the second time in three years. Here is the problem: there are only four Tests scheduled and five venues chomping at the bit to host the world’s most watched team. There is a fifth Test of the summer, against the lowly ranked cricketing minnow Afghanistan. You can lock in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year’s Test at the SCG against India.

These traditional fixtures will not be shifted. That means, just like last summer, Optus Stadium is locked in battle with Adelaide Oval and the Gabba in Brisbane to host the other two blockbuster Tests against the top-ranked team in the world. Empty threat: Spectators were few and far between at the Gabba. Credit:Getty If the call is made purely on which stadium is best, then just like last summer, the other two Tests must be played at Optus Stadium and Adelaide Oval. But the push is on big time to make sure the Gabba has the opening Test of the summer; due to the dominance of the Australian cricket team at the venue it has made a fortress.

Loading The push is on from the players, backed by east coast journalists, to make sure Brisbane hosts one of the Tests against India. Despite just 5000 fans turning up on Sunday to watch Australia win the first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba, Australia captain Tim Paine led the campaign to play against India in Brisbane next summer. “That’s (the Gabba) where we like to start our summer, it has been for a long, long time, except last summer,” he said. “I’ll ask Virat [Kohli, India captain], see if we can get his permission to play here, maybe even a pink ball Test if he’s in a good mood. We like playing here. Australian teams have bowled and batted well here for a long, long time. We like to start here against anyone.”

But the Gabba is by far the worst of the five Test venues in the country. Not only are the facilities inferior to the other four stadiums, but the crowd numbers against Pakistan don’t help its cause. You beaut: Perth's top-of-the-line Optus Stadium. Credit:Frizz Ferguson It is run-down compared to the billion-dollar Optus Stadium, which hosted the only Test the Australian cricket team tasted success in during last summer’s series against India, winning by 146 runs. Western Australia has invested in its stadium, now Cricket Australia should guarantee a blockbuster Test against India is scheduled for next summer.