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'Stop hoarding the privilege and start sharing the responsibility': Mitchell Johnson slams Cricket Australia CEO
Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has slammed Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg's suggestion to limit Test cricket to fewer nations. As per Greenberg, only top teams should compete in the longest format of the game, as it will ensure financial viability as well as high-quality contests.
'I don't think everyone in world cricket needs to aspire to play Test cricket, and that might be OK…literally we're trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to try to play Test cricket'. Quoted by The West Australian. He pointed to the Ashes as an example of how meaningful rivalries between elite nations remain profitable.
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Johnson does not see eye to eye with CA CEO
Johnson firmly opposed the idea, arguing in his West Australian column that reducing opportunities for developing nations would harm the essence of the game. He emphasised that true leadership involves uplifting others, not eliminating them.
'The solution isn't to scale Test cricket down to three or four rich countries,' Johnson wrote. 'It's to help the rest grow. Players want it, fans want it — so why are we making it so hard? What these nations lack isn't passion, it's support. And if the ICC and the so-called big three want to protect the future, they need to stop hoarding the privilege and start sharing the responsibility.'
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Johnson also stressed the notion that there are factors beyond the broadcasting revenue that should be considered as well. He supported his stance by presenting the example of Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, a series that may not break viewership records but means a lot for the players and fans, something which should be protected at all cost.
'A Sri Lanka v Pakistan series might not break streaming records, but to the players and fans it means everything. You don't protect that by cutting it off. You protect it by investing in it.'
Johnson further stated that when money can be poured into different T20 leagues, the similar reservation can be made for Test cricket. He said that money should be diverted towards the right direction.
'The money is there — it's just being pointed the wrong way,' Johnson wrote.
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