Cricket Australia is poised to abandon its traditional hands-off approach to pitch preparation, with chief executive Todd Greenberg flagging direct intervention as early as next summer. The move comes after a series of abbreviated Test matches, including a dramatic Boxing Day encounter, have severely impacted the sport's financial bottom line.
The Boxing Day collapse and a costly summer
The immediate catalyst for the policy shift was the remarkable first day of the Melbourne Test, where a staggering 20 wickets fell. This was the first time such a collapse had occurred on the opening day of a Test in Australia since 1951, with the MCG last witnessing more day-one wickets way back in 1902. The match is now headed for an early finish.
This follows a pattern established during the recent Ashes series, where the first three Tests were all decided inside a total of just 11 days. Greenberg confirmed these short matches have already cost Cricket Australia millions in lost revenue, funds that are crucial for reinvestment into community cricket and talent pathways.
Greenberg's blunt commercial warning
In a frank assessment, CEO Todd Greenberg linked the quality of the contest directly to the game's financial health. "Short Tests aren't good for business," Greenberg stated bluntly. He emphasised that every dollar lost at the elite level has a flow-on effect, potentially harming grassroots development.
While acknowledging pitch preparation is an "inexact science," Greenberg said the governing body could no longer stand aside. "Historically we have taken a hands-off approach... But it’s hard not to get more involved when you see the impact on the sport, particularly commercially," he explained.
He praised last year's MCG pitch, which was rated "very good" by the ICC, but conceded the 2023 surface, which had 10mm of grass left due to cool weather, favoured bowlers too heavily. Esteemed former fast bowlers Brett Lee and Stuart Broad were among those who criticised the pitch for being overly generous to pacemen.
Bazball and the modern game's influence
Greenberg also pointed to the evolving tactics of players, specifically England's ultra-aggressive "Bazball" approach, as a key factor. He noted that in tricky conditions, modern batters are more likely to "hit their way out of it" rather than dig in for a long partnership.
This shift in player mentality raises new questions for curators. "If that’s the modern game, is the wicket preparation and our conditions conducive to getting the best outcomes for the sport?" Greenberg pondered. The challenge now is to find a balance that produces compelling, longer-lasting cricket without becoming a bland, batter-friendly highway.
Cricket Australia's new stance marks a significant departure from its long-held strategy of allowing state associations to develop "unique characteristics" for their venues. The organisation now believes that safeguarding the commercial and sporting integrity of Test cricket may require a more centralised hand on the tiller.
