‘In decline’: Cricket Australia attacked over bottom line

Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird was compelled to respond to criticism of the governing body’s financial performance when its AGM took a lively turn on Thursday.

An $11.3 million deficit for the 2024-25 season – arriving despite a hugely popular Test series against India – pared down CA’s reserves to $22.1 million ahead of this summer’s visits by India and England.

Baird focused on the split of India’s Test and white-ball series into separate summers, meaning dispersed payments from CA’s $300 million rights deal with Indian broadcasting giant Jio Star, as the major reason for the deficit.

But Cricket Victoria chair Ross Hepburn responded to Baird’s request for questions from the floor by calling out CA for what he described as a downward trend in the governing body’s financial situation that dated back to 2019. He also expressed CV’s hesitance about selling off BBL clubs.

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“It is disappointing that for yet another year CA is presenting a financial loss, with a balance sheet showing member funds in deficit,” Hepburn said. “It is especially disappointing that since FY2019, CA accounts have shown a significant cumulative loss excluding COVID-related impacts and World Cup revenue.

“Despite significant and costly reviews, little financial improvement seems to have yet materialised on the commercial front with sponsorship revenues in decline.”

Hepburn added that CV was supportive of how Todd Greenberg had started his tenure as chief executive, including by making significant cuts to staff and funding for various programs – including indoor cricket.

“CV is very supportive of the current strategic considerations to reset the BBL competition and strengthen the CA balance sheet,” Hepburn said. “However we believe all other options need to be diligently canvassed before resorting to selling off member assets.”

Moved to respond, Baird said that “COVID has had a huge impact on the finances of cricket” and also pointed out that “we could have reduced funding to the states”, which CA had not done.

Later, Baird said that CA had to balance its cost base with investment in the game at all levels. Baird has been a CA director since 2020, while former NRL chief Greenberg started as CEO of CA earlier this year.

“What’s important here is that the game keeps growing,” he said. “Over the past few years, despite COVID and the significant impact that’s had on the finances, we’ve been determined to keep investing.

“We’re invested in grassroots cricket, which is what it’s all about, and growing the game. We’re looking at opportunities for growth and we have a record year ahead of us, so we’re very confident in the future.”

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Greenberg said that CA needed to welcome open debate and disagreement from its member states, but projected that by this time next year there would be a “significant injection” of money into cricket.

“We have had a difficult period in Australian cricket for a number of years, so I think the comments were welcomed,” he said.

Among the cuts made by CA, including the culling of 15 staff in July, is the decision to stop funding indoor cricket, the popular variant of the game that has been played by the likes of the Waugh brothers and Michael Clarke.

“We would love to fund everyone and everything, but we’ve got to make sure we put our money in the right places at the right times,” Greenberg said. “We will always be looking to help community groups or indoor cricket or every other type of format we can, but we can’t give out what we don’t have.”

Hepburn, Baird, Greenberg and all the other state CEOs and chairs were due to spend the rest of Thursday in meetings discussing the future of the BBL.

Shield bat-off continues for Ashes spot

Australia A opener Campbell Kellaway showcased his emerging talent as another potential Ashes batter disappointed on day three of the final round before the squad for Perth is chosen.

Kellaway’s 147 for Victoria against Tasmania at Junction Oval followed the 88 he made opposite Sam Konstas in India, although there hasn’t been a score of better than 43 in between.

Matt Renshaw made 29 for Queensland against NSW at the Gabba in a useful opening stand of 94 with Usman Khawaja (87) but was the lower-tempo partner. Renshaw and Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald are considered the frontrunners should Australia choose a specialist opener to partner Khawaja.

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