Pink-ball Test still in plans for 2029-30 Ashes: Cricket Australia CEO
Sydney, March 11
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has stated that the board still intends to include a pink-ball Test in the 2029-30 men's Ashes series, despite recent reports suggesting a day-night match had already been ruled out, as per ESPNcricinfo.
During the most recent Ashes series, the day-night Test took place in Brisbane, where Australia secured an eight-wicket victory. England have played four day-night Tests in Australia overall and have lost all of them by large margins.
Notably, ahead of Brisbane's pink-ball Test, England legend Joe Root had questioned the need for a day-night match in an Ashes series.
"I don't think you need it in Ashes series. Absolutely not I don't mind [pink-ball cricket]. I mean, I don't think it's as good as traditional Test cricket. But it's in the schedule: we've got to play it, and just got to make sure we're better than them at it... It's clearly something that works here for Australia, and they enjoy it," Root had said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Now, CA CEO Todd Greenberg has stated that there has been no request to drop the pink-ball Test from the 2029-30 The Ashes series and confirmed it remains part of the board's plans. He noted that day-night Tests are included in CA's broadcast agreements and have been successful in Australia, particularly in Adelaide and Brisbane. Greenberg also added that CA is open to working with the England and Wales Cricket Board to help England prepare better for pink-ball conditions if required.
"They haven't requested it [to be dropped. Pleasingly, we don't play them here until 2029, so I've got a little bit of time to work this one out. It's a part of our broadcast contracts. It's clearly a big part of our summer [and] it clearly works here in this country," Todd Greenberg, the CA CEO, told SEN radio as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"We've shown it works in Adelaide. It certainly worked last year in Brisbane. It's our plan to continue at least one of those in a summer. If we need to work with our comrades at the ECB to help them prepare better or have practice matches, we'll do all those sort of things. We'll have that dialogue if and when needed," he added.
When asked if England should anticipate playing a pink-ball Test on their next Ashes tour, Todd Greenberg replied, "That's certainly our expectation, yes."
CA's current broadcast agreement, which runs until 2031, requires one day-night Test each season, as these matches have proven very successful in terms of television viewership.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a cricket fan living in India, I love watching day-night Tests. The prime-time slots are perfect! 🇮🇳 If it brings in more viewers and keeps Test cricket alive, I'm all for it. England just needs to up their game, simple.
Joe Root has a point. Why fix what isn't broken? The Ashes is the ultimate Test series. Adding a pink-ball game feels like a gimmick for TV ratings. CA should listen to the players more, not just the broadcasters.
Honestly, it's smart business by Cricket Australia. They have a broadcast deal to honor, and day-night Tests are a hit Down Under. England's 0-4 record is their problem, not CA's. Maybe BCCI should schedule more pink-ball games for our team too! 🏏
The offer to help England prepare is a good gesture, but let's be real—it's also a bit of a taunt! 😄 Australia knows they have a massive advantage. As an Indian fan, I hope our team gets more pink-ball experience before we tour there next.
Tradition vs innovation... it's a tough one. But cricket needs to evolve to stay relevant. If a pink-ball Test in 2029 gets more kids watching the Ashes, that's a win. England has six years to figure it out!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.