Latest news with #BoxingDayTest
India.com
3 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Cricket Australia Considers Private Investment For Big Bash League, Maintains Commitment To Test Traditions
In a significant development aimed at revamping its domestic T20 competition, Cricket Australia (CA) has revealed that it is actively exploring private investment options for the Big Bash League (BBL). The move is part of a broader strategic plan to elevate the BBL's global stature and competitiveness, positioning it just behind the Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of talent, investment, and reach. BBL Set for Structural Evolution According to reports, CA has engaged with global consultancy firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to evaluate the potential of bringing in external equity partners. BCG's recommendations include offering alternative ownership models, expanding the league, increasing player salaries, and realigning the BBL calendar to attract higher-quality international talent. CA Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg confirmed that while no final decision has been made, the organization is committed to examining every option to ensure the long-term growth and financial health of the competition. 'We are unashamedly aiming to make the BBL the second-best T20 league in the world,' Greenberg said. 'This review is not reactive but proactive. If investment can help us deliver more value to fans, players, and the wider cricket community, we must explore it.' Balancing Innovation with Tradition Despite this progressive shift in the T20 format, CA has strongly reiterated its commitment to preserving the traditions of Test cricket, including iconic events like the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year's Test at the SCG. Greenberg emphasized that any strategic partnership or private equity involvement in the BBL would not impact the structure, scheduling, or heritage of the longer format. 'The traditions of Test cricket are sacred. We're not looking to compromise the essence of the game while modernizing parts of it,' he added. This stance has been welcomed by traditionalists and former players who feared commercialization could erode the purity of Test cricket. A Divided Debate The idea of privatizing BBL teams has sparked mixed reactions. Proponents argue that private investment could infuse much-needed capital, professional expertise, and marketing strength, similar to what transformed the IPL into a global cricketing juggernaut. Conversely, critics caution against relinquishing control to private owners, citing risks like loss of governance, deviation from cricket's grassroots ethos, and a shift toward prioritizing profit over player and fan interest. Former Australian cricketer and commentator Simon Katich expressed cautious optimism, stating that if managed transparently, private investment could help the BBL regain its lost shine and attract top-tier players.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Cricket Australia Chief says Big Bash League to let in private investment to make it 2nd best league after Indian Premier League ‘unashamedly'
Since 2011, there have been ideas floating around about Australia's Big Bash League allowing private investment into their league. However, the resistance has come as Cricket Australia wanted to keep 100 per cent control over the league and scheduling control for the broadcasters. However, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) was commissioned by CA have assess the current situation of the BBL. Last week, BCG submitted their report and also suggested a change in the scheduling of the league, which at this point starts mid-December annually. CA CEO Todd Greenberg acknowledged allowing the private investments to make the league the next best league behind the Indian Premier League, and also that it would not go ahead if it were to displace the traditional Sydney New Year's Test and Boxing Day Test in Melbourne 'I hail from Sydney so I'd like to return back there at one point in time,' Greenberg said on SEN Radio on changing the SCG Test. 'So, no, it's certainly not on the agenda.' 'Well that's certainly the vision of everyone in cricket here in this country is to make sure that we run a league and we run a T20 tournament that is sitting just beside or behind or adjacent to the IPL,' Greenberg said. 'It's going to be very hard to chase the IPL, given the scale of cricket in India, but unashamedly, we want to run a league that comes second. And to do that we're going to need to make sure that player availability and player salaries are commensurate with everything else that goes on around the world, and there's one thing you need for that, you need money, you need investment. We'd be naive if we weren't asking ourselves these questions and making sure we've got an eye on what's next,' he added. Greenber did suggest that BBL Is in a good state: 'Nothing has been decided at this point in time. The report does tell us that the BBL is in a very healthy position, but one thing we're sure of is we don't want to take that for granted. So it's incumbent on us, as leaders of the sport, to look at what the future might hold for us.'
Daily Mail
02-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Man uses very WOKE method to crack the infamous dress code at the MCC's members area
Access to the hallowed Melbourne Cricket Club areas of the MCG comes with strict dress conditions, but some woke wording might have paved the way for blokes to ditch the collared shirts for good. Membership of the Melbourne Cricket Club gives full access to the Members' Reserve at the MCG for all AFL matches, the Boxing Day Test and other major cricket and football events. It is highly exclusive, with more than 136,000 people on the waiting list and waiting times of up to 25–30 years for full membership. For the 2025/26 season, the annual full membership subscription for metropolitan adults is $897, plus a $1,210 entrance fee paid in instalments. Along with the lengthy waiting list and eye-watering membership fees, strict dress codes are also mandated. Men aged 17 and over must wear a collared shirt at all times in the Members' Reserve, paired with neat trousers and closed‑toe footwear. Women are expected to wear a dress, skirt, or tailored trousers with a blouse or top, avoiding athletic wear, beachwear, ripped clothing and excessive logos. Athletic shorts, sneakers, sandals such as thongs or Ugg boots, and revealing clothing are strictly prohibited in all MCC member areas. But one man has discovered a loophole in the wording of the dress code on the MCC website. 'Please note: Members and their guests who identify as male and are aged 17 years and over must wear a collared shirt, even if worn under a collared sweater or jacket, at all times in the Reserve,' the website reads. 'This continues to be the major reason for male members and guests being denied admission.' That wording enabled one man to walk freely into the MCC Members area without a collared shirt simply by uttering four simple words. 'I identify as a female,' he told security blocking his path. News Corp has reported that MCC staff reluctantly had to let the member in, without a collar, but will tighten the wording to prevent it happening again. But it is not the first time gender has been used to bypass the strict dress code. In 2022, a Twitter [now X] social media user named Barnacle Bill asked the same question. 'I was born a male and now identify as a woman. Do I have to wear a collar?' they asked. While the post was likely tongue in cheek, the MCC social media team responded. 'We acknowledge that our current dress standards do not adequately accommodate for all gender identities,' the response read. 'We are reviewing our policy to establish more inclusive guidelines. You are not required to wear a collar in the Reserve.' It comes after the MCC Foundation announced in June that it had partnered with is pleased to partner with Proud 2 Play to support inclusion and participation of LGBTQIA+ people in sport. 'Sport should be inclusive, safe, and accessible, we're excited to help break down barriers and change the experience that LGBTQIA+ people have,' the club said in a statement.
India Today
26-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Jasprit Bumrah concedes 100-plus in an innings, ends 47-Test match streak
Jasprit Bumrah endured one of the most challenging days of his Test career on Day 4 of the Manchester Test. The Indian fast bowler conceded over 100 runs in an innings for the first time, finishing with figures of 2 for 112 as England amassed 669 runs in their first innings of the fourth Test of the Anderson–Tendulkar Bumrah had come close to conceding a century of runs during the Boxing Day Test in 2024–25, where he gave away 99 runs while claiming four wickets. However, in Manchester, the ace pacer appeared a shadow of his former self, struggling to generate speeds above 140 kph and lacking his usual bite. | Manchester Test Day 4 Updates |advertisementBumrah bowled 33 overs, conceded 112 runs, and picked up two wickets—those of wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith and lower-order batter Liam Dawson. It was the second-longest spell he has bowled in a Test innings, just behind the 36 overs he delivered in Chennai in 2021 against Expensive Test Spells by Bumrah 33.0 overs, 112 runs, 2 wickets, vs England, Manchester, 202528.4 overs, 99 runs, 4 wickets, vs Australia, Melbourne, 202426.0 overs, 88 runs, 1 wicket, vs New Zealand, Wellington, 202029.0 overs, 85 runs, 5 wickets, vs England, Nottingham, 201836.0 overs, 84 runs, 3 wickets, vs England, Chennai, 2021On Day 3, Bumrah looked out of rhythm, delivering loose balls at the start of each spell in an uncharacteristic performance. The 31-year-old also seemed to be dealing with a niggle, leaving the field during the second session and missing out on bowling with the second new ball after 90 decision to field three all-rounders instead of including a genuine wicket-taker like Kuldeep Yadav backfired. With Bumrah not at his best, India lacked the control and penetration needed to stem the run flow. England capitalised, sending the Indian bowlers on a leather had started the innings well, fresh from India's first-innings total of 357. However, support was lacking. Debutant Anshul Kamboj surprisingly took the new ball ahead of Mohammed Siraj and failed to complement Bumrah, allowing Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley to dominate with a 166-run opening carnage continued with Joe Root and Ben Stokes hammering big hundreds, followed by a quickfire fifty from Brydon Carse, as England posted their highest-ever Test total at Old Trafford, surpassing Australia's 656 for 8 fitness remains a concern. He had previously broken down during the final Test of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and missed the Champions Trophy. Prior to the current series, Bumrah had declared he would play only three Tests, but breaking down again in the third has reignited worries over his long-term availability.- EndsTune InYou May Also Like
News18
26-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Jasprit Bumrah's Worst-Ever Feat In Test Cricket, For The First Time In His Career…
For the first time since making his debut in 2018, the ace pacer leaked over 100 runs in an innings of a Test match. World No. 1 Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah on Saturday hit a new low as he toils with fellow Indian pacers in the 4 th Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The visiting bowlers have bit the dust in this game so far as England smashed over 600 runs in the first innings, in response to India's 358. The likes of Siraj, Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar have leaked over 100 runs, sharing 7 wickets among each other. However, for Bumrah, conceding over 100 runs in an innings of a Test match has never been the case. But the unexpected happened on the fourth day of the penultimate Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. For the first time since making his debut in 2018, the ace pacer leaked over 100 runs in an innings of a Test match. Bumrah returned 112/2 in 33 overs, marking his worst bowling figures in 48 Tests. Yet, he was the most economical Indian bowler in the first innings of the Manchester Test. The last time he conceded close to 100 runs was in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, leaking 99 runs in the first innings of the Boxing Day Test with 4 wickets. Bumrah's Most-Expensive Figures In Tests (More to Follow…) view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 17:49 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
