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Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley refuted claims on March 2 that India, England, and Australian boards had ignored a draft presented to the International Cricket Council (ICC) aimed at preserving Test cricket.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the three influential boards reportedly disregarded a proposal compiled by New Zealand Cricket chair Martin Snedden, which suggested an overhaul of the future tours program (FTP) to safeguard the traditional format of the game.
There was some misreporting around that: Hockely
"Categorically, I think there was some misreporting around that. Certainly, the discussions I'm in at the moment are very much thinking about how we can optimise the calendar and how we can continue to grow cricket around the world," Hockely told SEN Cricket.
The proposed alterations outlined in the blueprint document include the creation of extra windows for T20 leagues beyond the Indian Premier League (IPL), adjustments to the points system of the World Test Championship (WTC), transitioning to 40-over ODIs, concerns regarding T20Is, and a push for the consolidation of broadcast rights revenue for bilateral series.
When questioned about the report, Hockley rejected the idea that influential nations were neglecting Test cricket. He mentioned meeting Snedden during the first Test between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington, affirming Australia's strong dedication to assisting the ICC in ensuring the prosperity of all three formats of the game.
"We had a great catch-up with Martin (Snedden) here yesterday (Friday in Wellington)," Hockley said.
"We're very much involved with that piece of work. I think at Cricket Australia we've got good influence and I think we've got a really important role to play around the ICC in terms of driving strategy.
"I think that Cricket Australia has been behind many of the developments. Whether that's the introduction of the World Test Championship. I'm on the FTP working group with the ICC, and making sure that we're keeping all three formats healthy and strong, that we're growing the game in all territories," he added.
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Hockley emphasises commitment to global cricket
Highlighting the expansion of cricket globally, Hockley noted that countries such as the United States had also adopted the sport. He said that the United States would be co-hosting the T20 World Cup with the West Indies later this year.
"It's just brilliant to see the way that the T20 World Cup in the US has been embraced. I understand that ticket sales were 20 times oversubscribed when they were when they were released.
"So, I think cricket has a great opportunity to have a format strategy where all the formats play a role and all fit together. That is really the essence of the work that Martin has started. It's incumbent on all of us as members working together to make sure that we continue to take it forward," he added.
Hockley further stated that Australia held the World Test Championship in high regard and considered its men's Test cricket as a valuable asset.
"Practically, it is making sure that the World Test Championship is given greater prominence so each Test series has context.
"I think it's looking at the economic viability in different territories and how we make sure that it is economically viable for those countries where it isn't (currently). Still for Australia... men's Test cricket is the most valuable property. So, it's really working together.
"Then on the calendar, it's trying to configure the calendar in a way that there's space for all three formats," he concluded.
(Powered by AI, inputs from PTI)
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