South Australia in audacious attempt to pinch Sydney’s New Year’s test
This contrast has led to concerted discussions about how to improve the viewing experience in Perth, particularly to offer crowds more freedom of movement, shade and hospitality, as is the case with SACA members.
It may well result in changes to the WACA site redevelopment plan to host friendlies against opponents other than England and India. Meanwhile, the likely slot for the Perth Test will be the first of the summer against Pakistan in mid-December.
A New Year’s 2020 test in Sydney.Credit:Getty Images
Cricket Australia has given States the outlines of next year’s international play and is likely to conduct the Tests against Pakistan in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney before Brisbane and Adelaide host the West Indies in mid to late January.
However, the lack of opportunities for host cities and states to lobby for better games on the calendar has created many problems, particularly as SACA and the state government prepared to make a bid for the Sydney Test.
“We believe SACA Cricket Australia has presented a compelling case showing that our premium product deserves premium planning,” said SACA President Will Rayner Age and the herald when asked about the offer. “We very much look forward to working with them to ensure this continues for our members.”
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A spokesman for Malinauskas declined to comment. Cricket Australia declined to comment. As SA secured the AFL round, Malinauskas drew a comparison between the crowds at the Adelaide Oval and those at sporting events in Sydney.
“We bring more people to cricket here for a Test match at the Adelaide Oval with our population than we do in Sydney with their hordes and Footy is no different,” said Malinauskas.
“Turn on the NRL most weekends and it looks like a SANFL game so we’re going to get a lot bigger viewers here and we’re proud of that. We welcome the competition, but of course the best team wins.”
In parallel, states were handed financial projections for cricket over the next five years, taking into account the new $1.5 billion broadcasting deal signed with Foxtel and Seven in January.
Much of the additional money raised by this deal is expected to go towards enhanced contracts for international, Big Bash League and state players to help stave off an increasingly competitive global market for cricket talent.
But that need to inject extra cash into the player pool may mean that state associations are forced to live on annual payouts that don’t improve significantly, if at all, from 2019 levels before COVID-19 hit for several years forced cuts.
State associations have been actively discussing the possibility of amending the CA constitution to allow a return to direct representation of each state on the CA board for the past three years, before sentiment for change cooled during Henderson’s tenure.
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