Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has called for a leaner Test cricket schedule, arguing that fewer but more meaningful matches could help sustain the five-day format, especially for smaller nations.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, exactly 100 days before the Ashes series begins in Perth, Greenberg emphasised the importance of quality over quantity in the Test arena.
“We’re trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to try to play Test cricket,” he said. “We need to make sure we invest in the right spaces to play Test cricket where it means something. That’s why the Ashes will be as enormous and as profitable as it is, because it means something.”
His comments come after England wrapped up a thrilling 2-2 home series against India in front of capacity crowds, underlining the enduring appeal of marquee contests. In contrast, Australia and New Zealand cruised to one-sided overseas Test series victories against Zimbabwe and the West Indies respectively, raising concerns about the competitiveness of those fixtures.
Greenberg acknowledged suggestions around restructuring Test cricket, such as creating two or more divisions, but said he had no fixed view on how many teams should be playing at the highest level.
“Let’s consider what the future might look like,” he said.
Despite the global challenges facing Test cricket, Greenberg said the format remains in strong health in Australia, buoyed by surging demand for the upcoming Ashes.
“This will be the biggest sports event in Australia this year,” he said. “The interest is quite extraordinary, with ticket allocations for 11 of the 20 days on sale already exhausted.”