Cricket NSW is disappointed by Cricket Australia’s decision to proceed with introducing private investment into the Big Bash Leagues without alignment across Australian cricket.
Cricket NSW Statement
This decision risks leaving cricket in NSW and Australia strategically and financially worse off, with direct consequences for our ability to invest in grassroots cricket.
Cricket NSW strongly believes in the future growth of the WBBL and BBL. Both Leagues and all clubs are powerful drivers of participation and fan interest in cricket.
The BBL is Australia’s most-watched and second-highest attended sports league per game. Last summer’s record crowds and endless memorable moments, headlined by an unforgettable Sydney Smash at the SCG, showed the Big Bash has never been stronger. The WBBL continues to attract the world’s best players and inspire more girls and boys to play our game.
We see our role at Cricket NSW, alongside Cricket Australia and all states, as custodians of our game. Our purpose is to inspire everyone to play and love cricket. This starts with growing participation in our sport, ultimately producing great players for our W/BBL clubs, NSW and Australia.
The profits from our successful and healthy Big Bash clubs – the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder – are reinvested into growing participation in cricket.
This focus on our purpose has led to 80% growth in 5 to 12-year-olds over the last four years, and one third of contracted players across Australia coming from NSW.
We are proud to be part of an Australian cricket system that is the envy of the world.
Yesterday’s announcement threatens this system. The redistribution of profits to external investors reduces our ability to invest in community cricket, creating long-term impacts at all levels.
The Cricket NSW Board is also disappointed by the process leading to this decision. We have raised concerns directly with Cricket Australia, proposed an alternative pathway to strengthen the Big Bash, and highlighted significant risks within the proposal, informed by high-quality external advice.
Additionally, the four pre-conditions for a sale process, unanimously agreed by all state chairs in June, have not been met.
Cricket NSW will continue working with Cricket Australia on behalf of our members, participants, volunteers, supporters and all cricket lovers to ensure our game continues to thrive in our state and nationally, underpinned by a world-leading system.