Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Todd Greenberg has admitted that he couldn’t sleep after watching 20 wickets tumble on day one of the Boxing Day Test, knowing the quick finish would cost the organisation millions.
“I didn’t sleep well last night, put it that way,” Greenberg told a media outlet before day two.
“It was an amazing day of Test cricket, so for that record number of people who were hee, boy, they’ve had an experience. But our challenge is to make sure we can continue those experiences day after day.”
The organisation had high hopes for the Melbourne Test between Australia and England. Record crowds seemed guaranteed after tickets for the first three days sold out with unprecedented demand throughout the series.
More than 94,000 spectators packed the stadium on day one. However, the match finished on day two, triggering serious financial losses.
Cricket Australia already lost around AUD 5 million ($3.3 million) from the two-day Perth Test after 19 wickets fell on the opening day.
The abbreviated Boxing Day Test threatens similar damage despite record attendance.
When asked whether 20 wickets in a day was too many, Greenberg didn’t hold back. “The short answer for that in my opinion is yes,” he said.
“As mesmerising and fascinating and enjoyable as it was to watch as a fan, we want Test cricket clearly to go for longer. A simple phrase I’d use is short Tests are bad for business.”
He stressed the need for better balance between bat and ball, noting the Melbourne pitch clearly favoured bowlers on day one.
“I would like to see a slightly broader balance between the bat and the ball. I thought yesterday slightly favoured the ball,” Greenberg said. “The batters have some ownership in some of that, it’s not all around the pitch, but we’ve got some challenges.”
Greenberg hinted that Cricket Australia might take a more active role in pitch preparation going forward.
“Historically we have taken a hands-off approach in all of our wicket preparation and allowed the staff and the conditions and those characteristics to be presented,” he explained. “But it’s hard not to get more involved when you see the impact on the sport, particularly commercially.”
Cricket Australia already faces financial pressure after making several staff redundant this year while seeking cost savings in high performance and other areas. Greenberg currently works on bringing private investment into the Big Bash League (BBL) within the next 12 months.
Another large financial loss from this Test would prove untimely.
On the field, England secured their first Test victory in Australia since 2010 on Saturday, defeating the hosts by four wickets at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The visitors chased down 175 runs in 33 overs, with Jacob Bethell scoring 40, Zak Crawley 37 and Ben Duckett 34.
Australia collapsed for just 132 in their second innings despite Travis Head’s 46. Brydon Carse took four wickets while Ben Stokes claimed three.
Australia have already won the five-match series with three victories, but the financial toll of shortened Tests has dampened celebrations for Cricket Australia’s management.