Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg has openly stated that he is not a fan of the short Test matches as they are "bad for business".
Todd Greenberg shared his views on the Ashes 2025-26 Test matches finishing while speaking amid the fourth game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which has seen absolute dominance from the bowlers.
Cricket Australia (CA) is at risk of massive losses
The Ashes have always been highly anticipated, and the ongoing 2025-26 series has been no different. Even before the start of the Ashes, there was a lot of hype surrounding the England tour of Australia.
It was being said that the English team finally had a chance to beat the so-called 'weak Australian team' in their own backyard, but the reality has been totally different, as the hosts have dominated.
One of the key reasons behind Australia's dominance is their stunning bowling performances, which helped them win the first three matches on the trot to seal the series.
The pitches have also assisted the bowlers very well, but that has also led to Cricket Australia (CA) suffering massive losses. The first Test in Perth finished inside 2 days, and it cost Cricket Australia (CA) AUD$5 million (US$3.3 million).
Cricket Australia is currently eyeing a huge loss as the Boxing Day Test is also set to finish in two days. A total of 26 wickets fell in 102.1 overs at the MCG, and the visitors just need 175 runs on Day 2 to seal the win.
A simple phrase I'd use is short Tests are bad for business - Cricket Australia CEO
Todd Greenberg has said that the short Test matches are mesmerising and fascinating, but the games should last longer. In an interaction with SEN before the start of the second day, Greenberg was asked whether 20 wickets in a day was too many.
"The short answer for that, in my opinion, is yes. As mesmerising and fascinating and enjoyable as it was to watch as a fan, we want Test cricket clearly to go for longer.
"A simple phrase I'd use is short Tests are bad for business. I can't be much more blunt than that. So I would like to see a slightly broader balance between the bat and the ball. I thought yesterday slightly favoured the ball. The batters have some ownership in some of that, it's not all around the pitch, but we've got some challenges."
Historically, we have taken a hands-off approach in all of our wicket preparation - Todd Greenberg
Todd Greenberg further hinted that Cricket Australia (CA) will start intervening in pitch preparations to ensure that the matches last longer.
"Historically we have taken a hands-off approach in all of our wicket preparation and allowed the staff and the conditions and those characteristics to be presented. But it's hard not to get more involved when you see the impact on the sport, particularly commercially.
"I'm not suggesting we're going to go around talking to groundstaff, but we do have to have a careful eye on what our expectations are over the course of a summer."
Todd Greenberg also had no shame in admitting that he had a sleepless night yesterday thinking about the losses CA will suffer with an early finish in the fourth Test. He said:
"I didn't sleep well last night, put it that way. It was an amazing day of Test cricket, so for that record number of people who were here, boy, they've had an experience. But our challenge is to make sure we can continue those experiences day after day. That's the challenge for all of us."
Also Read: "It was a bit of an unfair contest," England skipper blasts MCG pitch after Boxing Day collapse
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