The Boxing Day chaos has sparked several concerns among the cricket fans, and Cricket Australia is all set to face the consequences of that; matches that are ending in just two days, also in a series like the Ashes, have put the standards on the radar, and also the level of pitch also comes into scrutiny after the post-match chaos between fans and players.
It was England’s first win on Australian soil in 14 years, and also this is only the third occasion that 20 wickets have been taken in a single day in Australia, following 1901/02, 1931/32, and 1894/95. Australia only managed to survive for 45.2 overs and score 152 runs when batting first, and in reply, England made just 110 runs, losing all wickets. This bizarre event happened at MCG, which sparked questions about Australian Cricket. After the following incident, Australia once again failed to deliver and again got all out in just 132 runs and set a 174-run target for England. However, England chased it down easily.
Also Read | A test in Australia that barely lasted two days? England’s shocking Boxing Day win raises big questions
Cricket Australia set to face huge financial loss
Australia is set to face a significant financial setback following the early conclusion of the Test match, with losses estimated at INR 60.59 crore. According to a report by Sky Sports, the premature finish has severely impacted match-day revenue streams, including ticket sales, hospitality, and broadcast-linked earnings. Cricket Australia is understood to be particularly concerned about the commercial implications, as extended Test matches are crucial for sustaining revenue across a long home summer. The situation has once again highlighted how on-field conditions and match duration can directly influence the financial health of the game at the highest level.
Todd Greenberg expressed his concerns
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said on SEN radio, “A simple phrase I'd use is short Tests are bad for business. I can't be much blunter than that."
Also Read | 'Short Tests Are Bad for Business': Todd Greenberg says Boxing Day chaos puts Australian Cricket Board under scrutiny
Adding to that, he said, what role CA itself can play in ensuring the ‘bad business’ doesn’t become a consistent issue, Greenberg stated that he would not prompt any sort of directive to curators for stadiums around the country. However, he also added that remaining passive on the matter was not the answer either.
