But Gabba officials were still no doubt left red-faced after a disappointing crowd of 13,900 attended the first day of Australia's pink ball Test against Sri Lanka in Brisbane on Thursday.

There was no repeat of the embarrassing light tower failure caused by an external power outage that forced a Big Bash League clash to be abandoned last week.

However, the 42,000-capacity ground's reputation still took another hit due to the underwhelming attendance.

The sea of empty Gabba seats was not a good look for a venue that is under pressure to impress Cricket Australia.

CA are expected to meet with Queensland Cricket and the state government next week to discuss the venue's future fixtures, with next summer's opening pink ball Test against Pakistan on the table.

The Gabba has slipped to become the fifth-ranked venue in the country after poor recent crowds and CA complaints that public amenities and transport links must be improved.

Even Canberra's Manuka Oval may soon leapfrog it, with the national capital hosting their inaugural Test next month.

A long-term plan is in place for the Gabba but a new cross-river underground rail station near the venue won't be ready until 2024.

The Gabba crowd was well down on the only other day-night clash played in Brisbane - the first Test against Pakistan in December 2016.

The first day attracted 26,353 and 78,095 for the match - a record overall attendance for a non-Ashes Gabba Test.

And the last time Sri Lanka played in Brisbane - back in 2007 - they got 15,882 on day one with 55,947 overall.

Gabba officials couldn't even rely on the allocation of 14,000 complimentary tickets by CA - albeit capped at 2,500 a day - offered to spectators affected by last week's BBL debacle to significantly boost numbers on Thursday.

Australian Associated Press