SHANE Warne says less is more when it comes to T20 cricket in Australia, criticising organisers for their handling of the Big Bash League (BBL).
The former leg-spinner has been quiet since it was announced Cricket Australia’s 40-year broadcasting partnership with Channel Nine — who he works for as a commentator — had come to an end, but he took to Twitter on Saturday to voice his concerns about the direction the game was heading in Down Under.
Last year the BBL moved to an expanded 43-game competition as the eight franchises played 10 matches each and fans will be treated to even more T20 domestic action next summer.
The BBL will expand again to become a full home-and-away competition that sees each team play each other twice. This means the successful short-form league will feature 59 matches in 2018/19, including finals.
It continues to go from strength to strength but Warne said there was a risk “greed” would take over and money prioritised over the final product, which he says will be “diluted”.
Warne’s initial comments about Australian cricket needing to be a partnership between players and the board were in response to a tweet from former Australian fast bowler Rodney Hogg, who said there’s too big a gap between players and administrators.
LANDSCAPE CHANGES IN AUSTRALIAN CRICKET
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland insisted the revolutionary shift of limited-overs internationals behind a television paywall will benefit the sport in the long-term.
CA signed off on its landmark $1.182 billion, six-year broadcast rights deal with Fox Sports and the Seven Network a week ago, ending Channel Nine’s four-decade broadcast of the home summer.
The Ten Network lost the coveted rights to the BBL, while all Tests and 43 of the 59 BBL matches will be simulcast between Fox Sports and Seven.
Fox Sports will exclusively showcase home international one-day and T20 matches, along with the remaining 16 games of the BBL on a new dedicated cricket channel during summer.
In total, about 80 per cent of all international cricket will still be available via free-to-air, with CA still trumpeting more cricket content will be available on commercial networks than ever before.
The new rights deal is a coup for CA improving on the previous five-year deal with Nine and Ten worth $590 million over five years — especially after fears the ball-tampering saga in South Africa would directly impact on the financial outcome.
“What we’re very excited about is cricket fans will have the opportunity to watch more cricket,” Sutherland said.
“What we have been all about through this process is about arriving at a landing point that allows more cricket to be telecast and broadcast.”
Under the deal, Foxtel will also broadcast the 50-over domestic competition, Sheffield Shield final and selected tour matches as part of a 24-hour cricket channel over summer.
Women’s cricket is also a winner, all home internationals and 23 WBBL matches to be broadcast on Seven and Fox.
Ten made its disappointment clear after having played a significant role in the growth of BBL ratings and crowd figures during its four-year deal.
“Network Ten turned the Big Bash League into the television phenomenon it is today and one of the most popular sports in Australia, a sport that all Australians were able enjoy for free,” chief executive Paul Anderson said in a statement.
“We had planned to extend that innovation to other forms of the game.”
SEARCH FOR COACH CONTINUES
The new Australia cricket team hierarchy is weeks away from being announced.
Two days after denying a report that Justin Langer is the new national coach, Cricket Australia (CA) has made it clear it will take its time to confirm any appointments.
Langer, the highly-rated Western Australia and Perth Scorchers coach, remains the strong favourite to take over the top coaching role in the wake of the South African tour debacle.
The CA board met on Friday and chairman David Peever gave little away afterwards about the team leadership appointments.
“The board has asked management to provide recommendations regarding candidates for the men’s head coach, ODI captain and ODI vice-captain,” Peever said. “The board is anticipating receiving these recommendations in the coming weeks, with a view to making appointments ahead of the ODI tour to the UK.
“Once these appointments have been endorsed and finalised, announcements can then be made.”
Jason Gillespie received a strong endorsement this week from former Australia captain Ian Chappell for the coaching role, and Ricky Ponting is another contender.
But the first ODI against England is not until June 13, giving CA plenty of time to make a decision.
One option is that an interim coach is named for the England tour, given the two reviews CA has set up in the wake of the South African disaster. Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner are suspended in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal, while coach Darren Lehmann also resigned. Wicketkeeper Tim Paine replaced Smith as captain.
Australia will play five one dayers and a T20 during their England tour. This week, Aaron Finch said he would love to captain the national one-day team if the opportunity came.
Smith and Warner were banned for 12 months, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension for his role in the ball-tampering debacle.
— with AAP
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