Latest news with #Bazball
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
CA boss Greenberg's vow to protect Aussie Test summer
New Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg has vowed to protect the sanctity of the Test summer, adamant it must be safeguarded during a time of debate about the global calendar. Officials were expecting the biggest pre-sale event in Australia since Taylor Swift's Eras tour when tickets for this summer's matches became available on Tuesday. That interest is buoyed by an Ashes series headlined by the arrival of England's Bazball mentality, along with Australia's white-ball matches against crowd-pullers India. But Greenberg is well aware the success of the red-ball game in Australia, India and England is at odds with most of the world, and this summer comes at a critical time for the sport. The World Cricketers' Association this year presented the ICC with a proposed model for the sport's future, recommending ways to protect the international game. Included in it were recommendations for four 21-day international windows with no franchise T20 cricket taking place from 2028, in a model similar to world football. Windows would also be scheduled for ICC events, while other international cricket outside those periods would remain in direct competition with lucrative T20 leagues. This Australian men's home international schedule runs from August to January, while a minimum six-week window is realistically always required to fit in the five home Tests. "We've got to protect what's sacrosanct to Australians, which is pretty obviously the Test match summer period," Greenberg told AAP. "We've enjoyed that over a period of time and it is getting stronger and stronger. "You have to make sure that you have a protection view of what your revenue drivers are. "And unashamedly, men's red-ball cricket is a significant revenue driver for our partners, for both our broadcasters and also through ticket sales." Greenberg, who moved from players' union boss to Cricket Australia CEO in March, takes an open-minded approach to any global discussions. Cricket Australia has a broadcast deal in place until 2031, while the global calendar is so far only locked in until March 2027. It's unlikely any introduction of windows would impact marquee series like the Ashes or Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the wealth of the big-three nations. But it is unclear what impact it could potentially have on player availability for other nations outside of the international widows, and if it would give franchises more power. "You absolutely try to maximise those rivalries, whether it's against India or against England in the Ashes this year," Greenberg said. "But also we want to bring other countries to the mix. "We want to make sure that New Zealand and Pakistan and South Africa have opportunities to play against us both here and away. "That's part of the challenge of making sure you find a calendar that can accommodate all those things. "It is a very delicate balancing exercise, trying to make sure that you get that part of the system right." Australia's five Tests against India last summer broke records for average daily attendances. Registrations for the June 3-13 pre-sale window for the summer are already significantly up on last year, with Greenberg ready to use Bazball as an Ashes marketing tool. "We're in the business of entertainment. So we'd be crazy not to market that," Greenberg said. "We've had twice as many individuals register for the pre-sale than we had for this time last year. "That gives you some indication about how big I think the Ashes will be this year for the five Tests." New Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg has vowed to protect the sanctity of the Test summer, adamant it must be safeguarded during a time of debate about the global calendar. Officials were expecting the biggest pre-sale event in Australia since Taylor Swift's Eras tour when tickets for this summer's matches became available on Tuesday. That interest is buoyed by an Ashes series headlined by the arrival of England's Bazball mentality, along with Australia's white-ball matches against crowd-pullers India. But Greenberg is well aware the success of the red-ball game in Australia, India and England is at odds with most of the world, and this summer comes at a critical time for the sport. The World Cricketers' Association this year presented the ICC with a proposed model for the sport's future, recommending ways to protect the international game. Included in it were recommendations for four 21-day international windows with no franchise T20 cricket taking place from 2028, in a model similar to world football. Windows would also be scheduled for ICC events, while other international cricket outside those periods would remain in direct competition with lucrative T20 leagues. This Australian men's home international schedule runs from August to January, while a minimum six-week window is realistically always required to fit in the five home Tests. "We've got to protect what's sacrosanct to Australians, which is pretty obviously the Test match summer period," Greenberg told AAP. "We've enjoyed that over a period of time and it is getting stronger and stronger. "You have to make sure that you have a protection view of what your revenue drivers are. "And unashamedly, men's red-ball cricket is a significant revenue driver for our partners, for both our broadcasters and also through ticket sales." Greenberg, who moved from players' union boss to Cricket Australia CEO in March, takes an open-minded approach to any global discussions. Cricket Australia has a broadcast deal in place until 2031, while the global calendar is so far only locked in until March 2027. It's unlikely any introduction of windows would impact marquee series like the Ashes or Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the wealth of the big-three nations. But it is unclear what impact it could potentially have on player availability for other nations outside of the international widows, and if it would give franchises more power. "You absolutely try to maximise those rivalries, whether it's against India or against England in the Ashes this year," Greenberg said. "But also we want to bring other countries to the mix. "We want to make sure that New Zealand and Pakistan and South Africa have opportunities to play against us both here and away. "That's part of the challenge of making sure you find a calendar that can accommodate all those things. "It is a very delicate balancing exercise, trying to make sure that you get that part of the system right." Australia's five Tests against India last summer broke records for average daily attendances. Registrations for the June 3-13 pre-sale window for the summer are already significantly up on last year, with Greenberg ready to use Bazball as an Ashes marketing tool. "We're in the business of entertainment. So we'd be crazy not to market that," Greenberg said. "We've had twice as many individuals register for the pre-sale than we had for this time last year. "That gives you some indication about how big I think the Ashes will be this year for the five Tests." New Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg has vowed to protect the sanctity of the Test summer, adamant it must be safeguarded during a time of debate about the global calendar. Officials were expecting the biggest pre-sale event in Australia since Taylor Swift's Eras tour when tickets for this summer's matches became available on Tuesday. That interest is buoyed by an Ashes series headlined by the arrival of England's Bazball mentality, along with Australia's white-ball matches against crowd-pullers India. But Greenberg is well aware the success of the red-ball game in Australia, India and England is at odds with most of the world, and this summer comes at a critical time for the sport. The World Cricketers' Association this year presented the ICC with a proposed model for the sport's future, recommending ways to protect the international game. Included in it were recommendations for four 21-day international windows with no franchise T20 cricket taking place from 2028, in a model similar to world football. Windows would also be scheduled for ICC events, while other international cricket outside those periods would remain in direct competition with lucrative T20 leagues. This Australian men's home international schedule runs from August to January, while a minimum six-week window is realistically always required to fit in the five home Tests. "We've got to protect what's sacrosanct to Australians, which is pretty obviously the Test match summer period," Greenberg told AAP. "We've enjoyed that over a period of time and it is getting stronger and stronger. "You have to make sure that you have a protection view of what your revenue drivers are. "And unashamedly, men's red-ball cricket is a significant revenue driver for our partners, for both our broadcasters and also through ticket sales." Greenberg, who moved from players' union boss to Cricket Australia CEO in March, takes an open-minded approach to any global discussions. Cricket Australia has a broadcast deal in place until 2031, while the global calendar is so far only locked in until March 2027. It's unlikely any introduction of windows would impact marquee series like the Ashes or Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the wealth of the big-three nations. But it is unclear what impact it could potentially have on player availability for other nations outside of the international widows, and if it would give franchises more power. "You absolutely try to maximise those rivalries, whether it's against India or against England in the Ashes this year," Greenberg said. "But also we want to bring other countries to the mix. "We want to make sure that New Zealand and Pakistan and South Africa have opportunities to play against us both here and away. "That's part of the challenge of making sure you find a calendar that can accommodate all those things. "It is a very delicate balancing exercise, trying to make sure that you get that part of the system right." Australia's five Tests against India last summer broke records for average daily attendances. Registrations for the June 3-13 pre-sale window for the summer are already significantly up on last year, with Greenberg ready to use Bazball as an Ashes marketing tool. "We're in the business of entertainment. So we'd be crazy not to market that," Greenberg said. "We've had twice as many individuals register for the pre-sale than we had for this time last year. "That gives you some indication about how big I think the Ashes will be this year for the five Tests."
West Australian
15 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
CA boss Greenberg's vow to protect Aussie Test summer
New Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg has vowed to protect the sanctity of the Test summer, adamant it must be safeguarded during a time of debate about the global calendar. Officials were expecting the biggest pre-sale event in Australia since Taylor Swift's Eras tour when tickets for this summer's matches became available on Tuesday. That interest is buoyed by an Ashes series headlined by the arrival of England's Bazball mentality, along with Australia's white-ball matches against crowd-pullers India. But Greenberg is well aware the success of the red-ball game in Australia, India and England is at odds with most of the world, and this summer comes at a critical time for the sport. The World Cricketers' Association this year presented the ICC with a proposed model for the sport's future, recommending ways to protect the international game. Included in it were recommendations for four 21-day international windows with no franchise T20 cricket taking place from 2028, in a model similar to world football. Windows would also be scheduled for ICC events, while other international cricket outside those periods would remain in direct competition with lucrative T20 leagues. This Australian men's home international schedule runs from August to January, while a minimum six-week window is realistically always required to fit in the five home Tests. "We've got to protect what's sacrosanct to Australians, which is pretty obviously the Test match summer period," Greenberg told AAP. "We've enjoyed that over a period of time and it is getting stronger and stronger. "You have to make sure that you have a protection view of what your revenue drivers are. "And unashamedly, men's red-ball cricket is a significant revenue driver for our partners, for both our broadcasters and also through ticket sales." Greenberg, who moved from players' union boss to Cricket Australia CEO in March, takes an open-minded approach to any global discussions. Cricket Australia has a broadcast deal in place until 2031, while the global calendar is so far only locked in until March 2027. It's unlikely any introduction of windows would impact marquee series like the Ashes or Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the wealth of the big-three nations. But it is unclear what impact it could potentially have on player availability for other nations outside of the international widows, and if it would give franchises more power. "You absolutely try to maximise those rivalries, whether it's against India or against England in the Ashes this year," Greenberg said. "But also we want to bring other countries to the mix. "We want to make sure that New Zealand and Pakistan and South Africa have opportunities to play against us both here and away. "That's part of the challenge of making sure you find a calendar that can accommodate all those things. "It is a very delicate balancing exercise, trying to make sure that you get that part of the system right." Australia's five Tests against India last summer broke records for average daily attendances. Registrations for the June 3-13 pre-sale window for the summer are already significantly up on last year, with Greenberg ready to use Bazball as an Ashes marketing tool. "We're in the business of entertainment. So we'd be crazy not to market that," Greenberg said. "We've had twice as many individuals register for the pre-sale than we had for this time last year. "That gives you some indication about how big I think the Ashes will be this year for the five Tests."
Perth Now
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
CA boss Greenberg's vow to protect Aussie Test summer
New Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg has vowed to protect the sanctity of the Test summer, adamant it must be safeguarded during a time of debate about the global calendar. Officials were expecting the biggest pre-sale event in Australia since Taylor Swift's Eras tour when tickets for this summer's matches became available on Tuesday. That interest is buoyed by an Ashes series headlined by the arrival of England's Bazball mentality, along with Australia's white-ball matches against crowd-pullers India. But Greenberg is well aware the success of the red-ball game in Australia, India and England is at odds with most of the world, and this summer comes at a critical time for the sport. The World Cricketers' Association this year presented the ICC with a proposed model for the sport's future, recommending ways to protect the international game. Included in it were recommendations for four 21-day international windows with no franchise T20 cricket taking place from 2028, in a model similar to world football. Windows would also be scheduled for ICC events, while other international cricket outside those periods would remain in direct competition with lucrative T20 leagues. This Australian men's home international schedule runs from August to January, while a minimum six-week window is realistically always required to fit in the five home Tests. "We've got to protect what's sacrosanct to Australians, which is pretty obviously the Test match summer period," Greenberg told AAP. "We've enjoyed that over a period of time and it is getting stronger and stronger. "You have to make sure that you have a protection view of what your revenue drivers are. "And unashamedly, men's red-ball cricket is a significant revenue driver for our partners, for both our broadcasters and also through ticket sales." Greenberg, who moved from players' union boss to Cricket Australia CEO in March, takes an open-minded approach to any global discussions. Cricket Australia has a broadcast deal in place until 2031, while the global calendar is so far only locked in until March 2027. It's unlikely any introduction of windows would impact marquee series like the Ashes or Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the wealth of the big-three nations. But it is unclear what impact it could potentially have on player availability for other nations outside of the international widows, and if it would give franchises more power. "You absolutely try to maximise those rivalries, whether it's against India or against England in the Ashes this year," Greenberg said. "But also we want to bring other countries to the mix. "We want to make sure that New Zealand and Pakistan and South Africa have opportunities to play against us both here and away. "That's part of the challenge of making sure you find a calendar that can accommodate all those things. "It is a very delicate balancing exercise, trying to make sure that you get that part of the system right." Australia's five Tests against India last summer broke records for average daily attendances. Registrations for the June 3-13 pre-sale window for the summer are already significantly up on last year, with Greenberg ready to use Bazball as an Ashes marketing tool. "We're in the business of entertainment. So we'd be crazy not to market that," Greenberg said. "We've had twice as many individuals register for the pre-sale than we had for this time last year. "That gives you some indication about how big I think the Ashes will be this year for the five Tests."
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Gambhir, Agarkar questioned for Virat Kohli's retirement: 'Maybe they told him if you don't perform...', asks Panesar
The Shubman Gill era in Tests is here, and the first challenge awaits the right-handed batter, who was recently appointed as the Test captain following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from the longest format. The team has already been announced for the five-match series, and the likes of Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Shardul Thakur have earned a call-up in the 18-member jumbo squad. The squad is relatively inexperienced, and not many have experience playing in the swinging and seaming conditions in the UK. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar have taken a leap of faith by giving several youngsters a chance to prove their talent and capability when the odds are stacked against them. Karun Nair has already vindicated the call made by Agarkar by smashing a double century for India A against England Lions in Canterbury. However, it is no understatement that India head into the series against England as underdogs and it would be a shocker to many if India ended up winning the series against Ben Stokes and co and put 'Bazball' to rest. Virat Kohli also announced his retirement ahead of the England series, shocking several fans and pundits. Many believed that the right-hander would take up the challenge of performing in Tests to silence his critics wrong. However, he decided to call time on his Test career on May 12. Ahead of the five-match series between India and England, Hindustan Times spoke to former England spinner Monty Panesar, who believes he won't be surprised if India manage to beat Ben Stokes' team. He also gave his take on Virat Kohli calling time on his Test career, saying the management might have given him a nudge. Monty, who was a part of the England squad when Alastair Cook's team defeated India in India in the four-match series, also spoke about Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from the 18-member squad. I think there's going to be a fearless India. A young, fearless India that's going to come, and don't be surprised that they could win the series. I think England cannot take it lightly yet. They'll prefer that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are not there, but look what's happening in the Lions match 557; these guys are fearless, so I think there's going to be a fearless India coming to England. I think they had to go with Shubman Gill. It will make him a better leader, I think he will bat better under some responsibility. Sometimes he gets a bit lazy with his footwork, once he gets to 30 or 40, but when he's responsible, he's captain. I reckon he'll switch on, and we'll see a better version of Shubhman Gill. It will be flat tracks, because England will back their batters against the Indian lineup. They want the Test matches to go to the fourth and the fifth day, because it is important for Test cricket that the games go for a long period of times. Both teams have got equal chance of playing entertaining cricket, because I think England want entertaining Test matches. High-run scoring, England do 'Bazball'. That kind of entertaining cricket, and that's what England want. So, there will be flat pitches, I reckon, throughout the Test series. I think he was definitely going to play. I think England were expecting, everyone was expecting him to play. I'm surprised he's kind of like bailed out. But maybe the fact that outside off-stump, he's just thinking, well, you know, they may have had a word with him. They said, look, if you don't score well in the first couple of Test matches, don't expect to play all the five. So, he's probably thinking, well, I'll just call it a day and give the youngsters a go. It doesn't matter if it's either Karun Nair or Shubman Gill. It'll be either three or four. Karun Nair has played at Northampton. He's done very well. He's done well, obviously, on the Lions trip. You can see the players that they've picked have actually played county cricket. If he goes four or three, it doesn't matter. It's up to Shubman Gill. But that's a strong batting line-up. India have got these fearless young cricketers coming through. I think another superstar is going to be born in the next five Test matches for India. Shreyas Iyer's got a very good technique against flat tracks and bouncy pitches. I think the swinging conditions, maybe his technique doesn't line up at the moment. That's what I think. Because I think his hands are a bit hard. He hasn't got the soft touch, playing late with the swing ball. Seeing the swing early and playing late, he does come hard at the ball. So, I think technique-wise, his game probably isn't suited for swinging conditions at the moment. And that's why they probably thought that, give some of the other players a go whose game is suited against swinging-seeming conditions. In terms of Shreyas Iyer, to get into the Test team, I think he needs to play county cricket. If he's serious about playing Test cricket, he needs to find a county and play a season of county cricket. And then, prove to the selectors that his technique is up to standard against a swimming string and ball. I think the problem with Mohammad Shami is he's injury-prone. When he bowls well, he bowled well in the World Cup. But I think that took a lot out of him. He was like, the main guy and I just don't know how long can he sustain injury free and that's the only issue. And I think that's what probably the concern is because he's a brilliant bowler. But can he last all five Test matches? Can he last three Test matches? Can he last back-to-back Test matches? Is his body strong enough to do it? And I think the selectors probably believe that he's probably gone past that where I don't think he could play back-to-back or three Test matches in a row. Shami will probably play in India because the Test matches only last three and a half days. But that's okay for his body. But to play in a four or five-day Test match, back-to-back, three Test matches, can his body take it? And I think the selectors kind of feel that his body is probably not strong enough to play in consecutive Test matches. It would depend on how Karun Nair performs, he scored a double-hundred against the England Lions. He and Shubman Gill, that middle-order, how they bat. I think the batters who've played county cricket, if they are able to then transform that same form at the international level, then I think India have got a chance to win. But if they just somehow freeze, it's the big stage, it's the crowd, it's playing for India, it's not playing for Surrey or some other county, and suddenly they're not playing the same level like it's for England Lions when there's only like a dog and, you know, one man and his dog. That, I think, is going to be the deciding factor in how they take on the international arena. If they take it on like they're doing right now, then I think India have got a chance of winning it. I think if in these 10 Test matches against India and Australia, he does well, then I think he's got every chance. So, I think the next 10 Test matches will define if Root can break it or not. In England, it's been a success. And I think outside of England, I don't think it's been that successful. So, I expect, I think they'll produce pitches in a way to suit their backing and their style of cricket in England. But outside of England, I haven't seen it to be successful in Australia or in India. So, maybe, maybe 'Bazball' is only successful in English conditions.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
Playing all 3 formats continuously is no easy task: Jasprit Bumrah
India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is gearing up for the upcoming Test series in England, but he acknowledges the physical demands of playing across all formats. Speaking with former Australian captain Michael Clarke on the Beyond 23 podcast, Bumrah highlighted the need to eventually be selective with formats to preserve longevity. 'Playing all three formats continuously is no easy task. I've done it for a while, but at some point, you have to assess your body and prioritize key tournaments,' said the 31-year-old, who has featured in 45 Tests, 89 ODIs, 70 T20Is, and over 140 IPL games. Looking ahead, Bumrah expressed excitement over cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'That's something I'm genuinely looking forward to. Representing India at the Olympics would be a special experience,' he said. Bumrah on England tour Speaking about the England Test series, Bumrah admitted to enjoying the challenges of English conditions. 'I love bowling with the Duke ball. Conditions in England test your skills — from swing early on to reverse later.' With England adopting an aggressive 'Bazball' approach, Bumrah remains optimistic. 'Aggressive batting gives bowlers opportunities. On any given day, we can break through if we remain disciplined.' He also praised the presence of Mohammad Siraj in India's pace attack. 'Siraj brings energy and skill. His growth has been impressive, and he'll be vital in the England series.' Despite the busy schedule, Bumrah underlined the importance of staying grounded. 'Right now, my focus is on the IPL. Once we transition to Test cricket, we'll prepare accordingly.' On-field aggression, Bumrah shared, is something he channels through performance rather than words. 'I prefer to let the ball do the talking. I stay intense but respectful — focused on doing my job without unnecessary antics.'
