Cricket in Canberra will remain a ''boutique sport'' unless the capital is admitted to the Big Bash League, Test and one-day international great Chris Cairns says.
Former New Zealand star Cairns - who now lives in Canberra - has been part of informal discussions with businessmen keen to be part of a private franchise should Cricket ACT's bid to join the Twenty20 competition be successful.
Cricket ACT has started to put together a committee of business leaders - headed by Master Builders Association executive director John Miller - to canvass corporate support.
But any hopes Canberra had of inclusion this year were dashed when Big Bash chief executive Mike McKenna revealed there were no plans for expansion until at least the 2013-14 season.
McKenna will be at Manuka Oval today for the Prime Minister's XI match against Sri Lanka.
And while the first season with private franchises in the Big Bash was a success, McKenna said expansion speculation was premature.
''We certainly won't be expanding next year, we want to make sure we consolidate the successes of this year and work more on understanding the financial model for the league,'' McKenna told The Canberra Times.
''Year three is more likely for expansion, but there's no guarantee for that either. We want to make sure it's absolutely certain it's time.
''... I don't think there's any doubt that given the opportunity, [Canberra] could put together an organisation to host [Big Bash] games. The questions is when is the right time and which is the right location for us [the Big Bash] because there are a number of good locations.''
Because most games are played at night, Manuka Oval would need to be revamped and have lights installed for Canberra to be included in the Big Bash.
Cricket ACT boss Mark Vergano will meet with McKenna today to discuss a potential bid further.
Teams from Geelong, Newcastle and the Gold Coast have also expressed interest in joining the fast-paced competition.
While not part of any official bid, Cairns is keen to see the Twenty20 national league played in Canberra.
Cricket ACT has shown it is capable of hosting international matches. The PM's XI clash with Sri Lanka follows the Chairman's XI match against India last December.
However, Cairns said Canberra deserved more than exhibition and ''festival matches''.
''Being honest about it, from what I've seen in Canberra I would deem cricket a boutique sport,'' Cairns said.
''At the moment kids in Canberra get pulled away from cricket because there are National Rugby League, rugby union and AFL teams here.
''The Prime Minister's XI and the Chairman's matches are warm-up games, but a potential franchise at Manuka would bring a national league where you see the best of every player instead of a festival atmosphere. Ultimately it's Cricket ACT-driven, but from the discussions I've had, behind it all are some passionate people ready to lend a hand.''
This reporter is on Twitter: @blockadutton
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