Todd Greenberg, chief executive of Cricket Australia earlier this month, fired that warning shot. He went on to lament the unsustainability of the traditional Test cricket calendar. He cautioned that the accelerated timetable could drive many countries into default. Many of them continue to flail, unable to come close to paying the monetary cost of this golden age format.
Greenberg made the point that a more efficient model was needed as a wider template for Test cricket, arguing that it should be about quality not quantity. He said then, “Scarcity in Test cricket is our ally, not our enemy.” This viewpoint is indicative of his understanding that an oversaturated calendar could jeopardize the sport’s long-term sustainability and reduce its luster.
He advocated cutting down the number of Test matches too. He stressed the critical role of marquee series that get the necessary, appropriate levels of investment. Greenberg’s remarks come at a time when the game faces challenges in attracting audiences and retaining viewer interest, especially in the longer format.
For the cricketing world there is much to look forward to, beginning with the 2025-26 Ashes series in Australia, commencing in just 100 days. Against this backdrop, Greenberg’s remarks take on even more significance. Australia has turned the screws against the West Indies in recent Test cricket encounters. They posted incredible results, taking victory in every game by an average of over 133 runs. Bowling and batting in unison New Zealand showed their dominance with a straightforward series win over Zimbabwe. They even pulled off an incredible win by an innings and 359 runs in one of those Tests!
The high stakes competitive landscape is evidenced by the often brutal, hard-fought five-match Test series between England and India. It concluded with a riveting 2-2 tie! In a dramatic decider, Mohammed Siraj sparked India to a stunning Test series win over Australia. They sealed the victory by just six runs! This series has been very well received, being hailed as “Test cricket at its best.” It does an excellent job of highlighting the possibilities, thrill, and artistry that remain in the format.
Yet for all these successes, Greenberg’s warning shots are an indication that there is increasing alarm at the sustainability of Test cricket. He remarked, “We’re literally trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to try to play Test cricket.” He is painfully aware that not every country has to pursue the aspiration of playing Test match cricket no matter what. This comment illustrates his fatalistic perspective perfectly.
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