Latest news with #Greenberg
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Aus confirm Pakistan tour in 2026
Cricket Australia (CA) is gearing up for a white-ball series tour to Pakistan, scheduled for early next year, signaling a positive step towards strengthening cricketing ties between the two nations. During an online press conference, CA CEO Todd Greenberg conveyed his positive outlook on the upcoming tour, emphasising the significance of the series against Pakistan and the ongoing collaboration between the two cricket boards. "I believe it will be another good tour of Pakistan. The series against Pakistan is an important part of our schedule. There has been good communication between Pakistan and Australia regarding both red-ball and white-ball series," Greenberg said. "We need to look for more opportunities for series, which we will definitely do," he added. Looking back on the 2022 tour, Greenberg expressed enthusiasm about future matches in Pakistan. "We would like to play a series in Pakistan. In 2022, we toured Pakistan after a long gap, and the tour was very successful. The Australian team received a warm welcome. It would be great if such series continue to happen." Greenberg emphasised the league's commitment to bringing in talent from Pakistan, recognising the popularity of Pakistani players among fans, and explained the mutual benefits of such participation. "There is no doubt that Pakistani players are very popular within the community. Our effort is to attract players from all over the world for the BBL," he said. "If leading Pakistani players come, they will definitely enjoy it here. The league will benefit greatly from these top players for their teams and franchises," he added. Regarding player participation, Greenberg confirmed, "I hope we will definitely attract some players for the next edition of the BBL." It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan last toured Australia in November 2024 for a white-ball series. Under Mohammad Rizwan's captaincy, the Men in Green secured a historic 2-1 victory in the ODI series - their first series win in Australia since 2002. However, Australia bounced back strongly, winning the subsequent T20I series 3-0. For the unversed, according to the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 202527, Australia are expected to tour Pakistan for a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is in FebruaryMarch. White-ball camp The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has summoned 22 top white-ball performers for a camp, including the senior trio of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi on Monday. According to the details, the shortlisted 22 players will report for the camp here in three groups, scheduled to be held on June 3, 4 and 5 respectively. During the camp, the PCB will inform the players about the future course of action, while their fitness and respective performances will also be analysed. Sources further suggested that senior players will participate in all three training sessions, which will also feature the top performers of the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10. Furthermore, Pakistan's white-ball head coach Mike Hesson will meet with top performers and will update them regarding the future course of action. Players called up for training camp: Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shahid Aziz, Abbas Afridi, Salman Mirza, Mir Hamza, Abdullah Shafique, Khawaja Nafay, Haider Ali, Ahmed Daniyal, Mehran Mumtaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Nawaz, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Ali Raza and Tayyab Tahir. For the unversed, Pakistan's white-ball entered a new era under the leadership of former New Zealand head coach Hesson. The 50-year-old had an ideal start to his tenure as the green shirts registered a 3-0 T20I series whitewash against Bangladesh, which also marked their first series triumph at home since December 2021. Following the drought-ending series victory over Bangladesh, Pakistan are scheduled for a brief break before touring back to Bangladesh next month for a potential three-match T20I series.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg describes upcoming India series as
Melbourne [Australia], June 3 (ANI): Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg has described the upcoming India men's tour of Australia as a major highlight for the 2025-26 season, calling it 'a summer like we've never seen before.' 'We're going to have a summer like we've never seen before. India is coming. It's going to be a blockbuster summer. That will drive enormous interest, not just from fans, but broadcasters, players. It's the series that everyone wants to play in,' Greenberg said during a virtual media interaction with the media, as quoted by Cricket Australia's press release. Greenberg also addressed the growing presence of Indian women's cricketers in the WBBL, such as Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, and whether there were any plans to bring Indian men's players, especially retired ones, into the BBL. 'We would love to welcome some Indian players to the BBL. That would be fantastic. That's certainly some conversations that we will continue to have with the BCCI. I mean, I would love to see Virat Kohli playing in the BBL this year. That would certainly create some interest in crowds and ratings, I'm sure. But at the moment, that's not happening, but we do have our ambitions to do those types of things,' Greenberg said. 'As you're seeing all over the world, T20 leagues are going down a lot of private investment, opportunities. We're seeing that in England recently with the Hundred. A number of the IPL franchises are now taking ownership stakes in the Hundred. So we've got to again, it goes to the same message I've been talking about. We've got to continue to evolve and innovate the way we run our business here in Australia, and making sure that we have an open mind to new things.' 'But the short answer to that question is if we could find opportunities for Indian cricketers, either retired, recently retired, or current players, to play in the BBL, they'd be very welcome, and it's a conversation we'll continue to have.' On the developmental front, Greenberg praised the continuation of the India-Australia A-team series and underlined their importance. 'It's another good question, and it's hard to find the balance because the A-tours are very important. You know, everybody saw the way that our Australian men's team played in Sri Lanka early this year when we won that series. But what people don't see is the amount of time that a lot of our players have spent playing their touring there in A-series games and others in order to then, once they get their opportunity at the highest level, to succeed.' 'So the A-series games are a very important part of the development of our players, very important long-term play. It's a significant investment from countries to play A-series cricket because, you know, ultimately, you're not generating the revenues, like you would in normal Test cricket, but they are very important. And I get a sense that we'll continue to talk to our counterparts in other countries about how we find meaningful parts of the schedule to put those players to give them chances to play in different conditions, and particularly younger players who will come through our systems.' 'We wanna make sure they've had opportunities to play in the subcontinent and other parts of the world so when they do get the opportunity to play for their country, they're ready, and they've been developed to a point where they can succeed.' Greenberg also reflected on the increasingly packed women's cricket calendar, shaped by the WPL, WBBL and The Hundred, calling it both a 'challenge' and an 'opportunity.' 'Well, I think it's a bit of both, a challenge because, you know, our players can't play every day of every week of the year. They need rest and recovery periods as well, and so we have to be respectful of their opportunities to play in some of those leagues. And then when they are playing for their country, to maximise the time that they have with us.' 'So, I think it is a challenge. And I think in the women's part of cricket, we need to dare to do some things that are a bit different to what men's cricket has done over a hundred years.' 'So, it's okay to be different. It's okay to challenge. It's okay to do things differently, and I don't wanna see women's cricket just simply follow what men's cricket has done over a hundred years. I like to see women's cricket break down some other barriers and do some things differently for cricket. And that might upset some people, but I do think that's the opportunity that you're referencing because, you know, playing cricket at different parts of the year might be a very strong strategic challenge for us.' 'It might really help with our participation base. It might help us attract more younger boys and girls to play the game if they can see their stars play at alternate times of the year. So, I think it's a significant challenge, but I genuinely can see the opportunity that's available to us if we can achieve what I think we can.' (ANI)
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
AUS vs ENG: Ashes ticket sales hit record high as fans brave long queues
Cricket fans across Australia have made their excitement for the 2025-26 Men's Ashes series loud and clear—over 220,000 tickets were sold on the very first day of pre-sale, June 3, smashing Cricket Australia's single-day ticket sales record. The demand more than doubled the previous record of 111,000 set back in 2017-18 and is being seen as one of the strongest signs yet of how highly anticipated this summer's Ashes rush began within hours of the priority pre-sale opening, as fans scrambled to book seats for the biggest fixtures on the calendar. Tickets for the iconic Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the first-ever day-night Ashes match at the Gabba sold out rapidly as fans rushed to secure their as tickets rolled out across different states, fans reported long wait times, slow loading pages, and even being kicked off the system mid-purchase. At one point, more than 200,000 users were in virtual queues, trying to grab tickets for the Ashes and other international matches. Many fans also had to register for pre-sale codes in advance, with a limit of nine tickets per buyer adding to the urgency and pressure. This year's Ashes is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. While their last faceoff in the previous Ashes series in England concluded in a 2-2 draw, the anticipation for a high-pressure showdown back in Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said the turnout was incredible and urged fans not to wait."The record demand for tickets shows the excitement fans are feeling about the fantastic international season to come," Greenberg said."To surpass our previous ticket sales record even before NSW and WA tickets had gone on sale is a remarkable achievement and reaffirms our position as Australia's national sport...I would urge those who haven't already bought their tickets to do so now as we expect allocations to be exhausted for some days,"he packed summer schedule also features India and South Africa visiting for white-ball matches, plus a multi-format women's series against India. This will also be the first time the men's team plays in every Australian state and territory during a single season. Cricket Australia also revealed that fans can still register for the priority pre-sale until June 12, before general ticket sales open on June 13.
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Virat Kohli to play BBL? Cricket Australia CEO opens up on possibilities
Virat Kohli doesn't play in overseas T20 leagues. Courtesy: AP Virat Kohli hasn't played in overseas T20 leagues Kohli is set to play in the IPL 2025 final CA CEO expressed his desire to see Kohli in the BBL Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg has expressed his desire to see Virat Kohli participate in the Big Bash League (BBL). While several Indian women cricketers - including Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, and Harmanpreet Kaur - have featured in the Women's BBL, their male counterparts have been absent due to restrictions imposed by the BCCI. Under current rules, Indian male cricketers are prohibited from playing in overseas T20 leagues unless they have retired from all forms of Indian cricket. Greenberg believes that the inclusion of high-profile players like Kohli would significantly boost both attendance and viewership ratings for the BBL. Also Read: Virat Kohli to play in BBL? Sydney Sixers make big announcement on April 1 'We would love to welcome some Indian players to the BBL. That would be fantastic. That's certainly some conversations that we will continue to have with the BCCI. I mean, I would love to see, Virat Kohli playing in the BBL this year. That would certainly create some interest in crowds and ratings, I'm sure. But at the moment, that's not happening, but we do have our ambitions to do those types of things,' Greenberg said in a virtual media interaction by Cricket Australia. Greenberg also highlighted the growing influence of Indian companies in global cricket, noting their acquisition of teams in The Hundred - specifically the Northern Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, and Manchester Originals. 'As you're seeing all over the world, T20 leagues are going down a lot of the private investment, opportunities. We're seeing that in England recently with the Hundred. A number of the IPL franchises are now taking ownership stakes in the Hundred. So we've got to again, it goes to the same message I've been talking about. We've got to continue to evolve and innovate the way we run our business here in Australia and making sure that we have an open mind to new things,' Greenberg added. Representing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli is currently set to play in the IPL 2025 final on Tuesday, June 3 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The drafts for the upcoming BBL edition will take place in mid-June. Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg has expressed his desire to see Virat Kohli participate in the Big Bash League (BBL). While several Indian women cricketers - including Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, and Harmanpreet Kaur - have featured in the Women's BBL, their male counterparts have been absent due to restrictions imposed by the BCCI. Under current rules, Indian male cricketers are prohibited from playing in overseas T20 leagues unless they have retired from all forms of Indian cricket. Greenberg believes that the inclusion of high-profile players like Kohli would significantly boost both attendance and viewership ratings for the BBL. Also Read: Virat Kohli to play in BBL? Sydney Sixers make big announcement on April 1 'We would love to welcome some Indian players to the BBL. That would be fantastic. That's certainly some conversations that we will continue to have with the BCCI. I mean, I would love to see, Virat Kohli playing in the BBL this year. That would certainly create some interest in crowds and ratings, I'm sure. But at the moment, that's not happening, but we do have our ambitions to do those types of things,' Greenberg said in a virtual media interaction by Cricket Australia. Greenberg also highlighted the growing influence of Indian companies in global cricket, noting their acquisition of teams in The Hundred - specifically the Northern Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, and Manchester Originals. 'As you're seeing all over the world, T20 leagues are going down a lot of the private investment, opportunities. We're seeing that in England recently with the Hundred. A number of the IPL franchises are now taking ownership stakes in the Hundred. So we've got to again, it goes to the same message I've been talking about. We've got to continue to evolve and innovate the way we run our business here in Australia and making sure that we have an open mind to new things,' Greenberg added. Representing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli is currently set to play in the IPL 2025 final on Tuesday, June 3 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The drafts for the upcoming BBL edition will take place in mid-June. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Should Indian-origin fans in Australia support India or Australia? Cricket Australia CEO answers the Tebbit Test and wants Kohli to play BBL
As witnessed during the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Cricket Australia has been actively marketing their product to the Indian and Asian communities who live in Australia but what is its new CEO Todd Greenberg's views on whether the second and third generation Asian-origin fans should support Australia or still clamour for their country of origin? Or in other words, what's CA's take on the old 'Tebbit Test' from the 90's in England. Norman Tebbit, a member of the Conservative party and considered the then UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher's blue-eyed boy, had devised a provocative test: 'A large proportion of Britain's Asian population fail to pass the cricket test. Which side do they cheer for? Are you still harking back to where you came from or where you are?' It came to be known as the Tebbit Test, a test of loyalty of British Asians, and created a huge furore whose ramifications are felt to this day. Greenberg has no confusion about the answer to that test. 'It's an interesting one because I think if you're second, third, fourth, fifth generation, wherever you come from, if that's the team that you support, we should encourage you to support that because, ultimately, everyone must come from somewhere, and we should all be really proud of where we come from. And in a country like Australia, with our beautiful multicultural base, we should all be very proud of the different styles, people, genders, races, and religions, and where people come from. And if people choose to support where they came from, we should encourage that,' the CA CEO told reporters on June 3. 'Equally, if someone's been here and is the next third generation and wants to support the country of which they live, we should be equally supportive of that as well, but we shouldn't judge people on the decisions we make. We should only make them feel included, proud, and a part of the sport. And that's the most important part. Cricket must be a sport for all that's inclusive, and people should feel safe, and they should feel welcome to barrack for whoever and whatever they like. And we should support their choice.' Later this year, India are set to tour Australia for a one-day series and the CEO reckons it would be great for fans to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for one last time possibly in Australia. 'This might be the last time that we get to see Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma play in our country. And if that is the case, who knows it might not be, but if it is, we wanna make sure we give them a great send off and a reflection of the incredible contribution they've made to international cricket. During Covid pandemic in 2020, it was reported that Cricket Australia had to take a loan of A$300 million from Commonwealth Bank. The Indian series in 2021 helped the Australian board. And in October last year, they announced a deficit of A$31.9 million ($21.34m). The last 2024-25 series against India in Australia further boosted the finances of the CA. Greenberg acknowledged India's role. 'With the billions of people in India, it brings scale and global significance to the touring events when they come that's evidenced by the crowds, it's evidenced by the ratings, and it's evidenced by the imagination that it captures both here and abroad. So India are a very important partner, and I get a sense that, and it was before my time, but, you know, those efforts through COVID create relationships between our two countries, between the leadership of our countries to make sure that we are playing each other regularly both here and abroad. When our team tour is India, we know the numbers in their broadcast markets are enormous as well. So they're a very important partner of ours.' Tapping the large Indian and Asian-origin fans who live in Australia is one thing, but what about providing the pathway for young Asian-origin kids to play for Australia. Is Australia open enough to do that? 'I agree we've still got a lot of work to do, and, we would like to be attracting more of those communities to be playing cricket, but part of that challenge is on us in how we offer participation. I think our participation offerings in this country are very traditional, and they have historically been offered in the same way to the same types of people over generations. And if we're going to attract a new generation of participants, then we need to do things differently. We need to think differently. We need to communicate differently, and we need to make sure that the clubs and our environments are both safe and welcoming and inclusive,' Greenberg says. And I know our participation network and the leads of our participation base here in this country are thinking about those things as we speak, and they're trying to make sure that we have a welcoming and offering that will allow everyone to feel welcome to come and play cricket, whether you're a boy, girl, male or female, Indian, Pakistani, wherever you're from, that there's an opportunity for you to play. So I think there's a real opportunity for us to do better in that regard.' CA also is holding out hope that the BCCI will one day allow Indian players to feature in Australia's T20 competition BBL. 'That's certainly some conversations that we will continue to have with the BCCI. I mean, I would love to see, Virat Kohli playing in the BBL this year. That would certainly create some interest in crowds and ratings, I'm sure. But at the moment, that's not happening, but we do have our ambitions to do those types of things. And as you're seeing all over the world, t 20 leagues are going down a lot of the private investment opportunities. We're seeing that in England recently with the hundred. A number of the IPL franchises are now taking ownership stakes in the hundred. We've got to continue to evolve and innovate the way we run our business here in Australia and making sure that we have an open mind to new things. But the short answer to that question is if we could find opportunities for Indian cricketers, either retired, recently retired, or current players to play in the BBL, they'd be very welcome, and it's a conversation we'll continue to have,' Greenberg said.
