“Bad for business”: Cricket boss not a fan of short Tests

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg doesn’t want to see too many short Test matches.

After a two-day Test to open the Ashes in Perth, there’s a real possibility that the same will occur in Melbourne after 20 wickets fell on a wild opening day.

While acknowledging that Day 1 at the MCG was an amazing viewing experience, with more than 94,000 treated to some exciting cricket, Greenberg wants to see matches extended to allow as many fans to enjoy the game in person as possible.

“I didn’t sleep well last night, put it that way,” Greenberg said on SEN Cricket.

“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.”

Is 20 wickets in a day too many?

Greenberg says, of course it is as it trends towards a shorter Test match which certainly is not CA's goal both as a product and financially.

“Short answer for that in my opinion is yes,” he replied.

“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.”

Six wickets fell during the first session on Day 2. Listen to every ball of the Ashes LIVE on SEN – your home of cricket.