Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League sale has been met with an 11th-hour twist

The fast-tracked deadline for state bodies to notify Cricket Australia of their preferred positions was set to close on Wednesday.

Queensland board members met on Tuesday night to finalise whether they were for or against private investment.

The board members decided to ask Cricket Australia for an extension.

Cricket Australia will not be heartbroken by the request, as it beats the outright rejection many expected from Queensland.

It’s understood Queensland powerbrokers feel the proposed proceeds from the sale of its BBL team – the Brisbane Heat – could improve.

The board, which blends cricket and business expertise, has examined the plan from all angles and is not convinced it delivers full value.

They view the price for the Heat as nearly satisfactory but question if the proceeds would best secure the game’s future.

Cricket NSW is expected to reject the project, while Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia are understood to favour it.

An industry source believes Queensland is a major player in the final decision as its vote could sway CNSW.

CNSW – along with Victoria – would profit most from privatisation with two teams but it remains sceptical.

A sale would be one of the biggest structural changes to Australian cricket, transforming its homegrown product into more of an overseas franchise-style model.

Supporters of the project see the cash injection as a benefit to the future of their states as well as the Big Bash League brand.

Sceptics, however, view the sale and the resulting reduction of control as a short-term solution to much broader issues.

Some of those sceptics have discussed raising more money through gambling instead, believing cricket lags well behind the football codes in that area.

On Tuesday, multiple reports indicated disenchantment between CA and CNSW regarding this decision.

It was hypothesised that Cricket NSW could withdraw support for CA chair Mike Baird, who is its nominee, over his push to privatise the Big Bash League.

Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon is facing the media at midday at Cricket Central.

New Zealand Cricket last month also turned its back on Cricket Australia, instead throwing its support behind the proposed NZ20 franchise league as its preferred domestic Twenty20 competition.

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