Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has urged curators at the country’s leading venues to prepare flatter pitches, warning that the growing frequency of two-day Test matches threatens both the financial returns and long-term appeal of the format.
Three of Australia’s previous seven Tests have finished within two days, including Ashes fixtures in Perth and Melbourne. Those two matches were estimated to have resulted in approximately A$15 million (approx. US$10 million) in lost revenue.
According to a report by Daniel Brettig in The Age, Greenberg made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Durban, following his unusual appearance at Cricket Australia’s annual curators’ conference.
BBL investment plans progress despite state opposition
Cricket Australia is moving ahead with plans to introduce private investment into the Big Bash League (BBL), despite disagreements among state cricket associations.
Opposition from New South Wales contributed to the circumstances surrounding former CA Chair Mike Baird’s resignation.
The governing body’s board has nevertheless approved the project, establishing a framework under which state associations can determine their own participation.
Greenberg outlined the process: “The project was approved by the CA board last month. The project’s well underway. The Renegades sale process is in market, and we’re expecting that to come to a conclusion before Christmas. And I think what will follow shortly will be a number of other states who are looking to sell 49 per cent and the idea of the self-determination model is for those who don’t want to sell, they don’t have to, and they’re not prescribed to do so.”
Three of Australia’s six states strongly supported the project, while other associations have continued examining their positions.
Greenberg has defended the principle that states should retain control over whether to seek private investors, acknowledging the difficulty of reaching agreement across Australian cricket.
Sydney Test’s traditional window secured until 2032
The possibility of private investment has raised questions about whether Australia’s established summer calendar could eventually change.
Greenberg has previously resisted suggestions that the Melbourne and Sydney Tests should be moved to create a separate window for the BBL.
Addressing the longer-term position of the Sydney fixture, he added: “So we’ve said in the way we’ve pitched our documents and the way the process would work is the Sydney Test match is contracted right through until 2032, so it’s contracted both with government and it’s also contracted in our broadcast negotiations. What happens beyond 2032, I think, is a question that we will have to address.”
CA would prefer to retain its current Test calendar, but Greenberg indicated that future arrangements would need to be evaluated on their merits.
He also pointed to the television performance of BBL matches held on evenings during the Sydney Test, which rank among the competition’s strongest-rating fixtures.
That existing audience performance is a consideration in any potential scheduling changes.
Cricket Australia asks curators to reconsider pitch preparation
The CA CEO’s intervention at the curators’ conference came amid scrutiny of recent playing conditions.
Greenberg’s appearance was unusual for the annual gathering, which has brought together groundsmen for decades.
Discussing the guidance provided to those responsible for preparing Australian Test surfaces, he stated: “What we’ve said is if you’re erring on which side of the line to roll on, then make it flatter, maybe slightly less grass, because the game has evolved over time. The way batters are batting and players are playing cricket. I’m not sure if our wickets have kept pace with that. The data and the stats certainly tell you that.”
The discussions took place against the backdrop of Australia’s recent short Tests, played with the Kookaburra ball on pitches that have attracted attention for their grass coverage.
Short Tests raise concerns beyond match revenue
The recent Ashes fixtures have intensified discussion about the consequences of matches ending well before their scheduled fifth day.
For Greenberg, the issue also involves what spectators should be able to experience from the longest format.
He said: “I am worried about short Test matches over time. I think a one-off is fine. You can deal with it. But over time, if we continue to see that trend, that will hurt the sport. It’ll hurt cricket, both from a commercial lens, but also just the purity of Test cricket and the beauty of a five-day close draw is as much a part of the fabric of Test cricket than a win or a loss, and so I don’t think we want to lose that.”
Women’s cricket could benefit from private capital
Cricket Australia’s investment discussions also extend to the future of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
Australian internationals Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney have expressed concerns about the placement of women’s international fixtures within the summer calendar.
January presents a particular scheduling difficulty because leading Australian players participate in India’s Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Greenberg indicated that CA is unwilling to schedule women’s international cricket directly against the WPL, taking account of player preferences.
One option being considered is moving the WBBL later in the season, potentially closer to the beginning of the men’s BBL.
CA is also examining whether private capital could help strengthen the women’s competition.
Greenberg has discussed the WBBL’s future with Perry and acknowledged that further financial support may be necessary to support its development.
As the franchise investment process continues, potential changes to the WBBL calendar and the availability of additional funding remain among the decisions facing Cricket Australia.
