Cricket Australia supports ICC’s idea of rule change

Melbourne, July 3 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) on Sunday endorsed the progress being made by International Cricket Council (ICC) to change the structure and context of the game that underpins international competition between countries.

Following the ICC’s annual conference held in Scotland this week, CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland confirmed the governing body's support for changes and the belief in the positive impact they will have in growing global interest in cricket.

“This week’s discussions have been very positive and we will continue to work with ICC and other member countries on the review into the structure of bilateral cricket to ensure that each of the three international formats continues to be strongly supported by fans,” Sutherland said in a release.

“We are keen to see that cricket enjoys growth in both interest and popularity, not just in traditional markets, but also in developing cricket nations.”

Sutherland also came in support of day-night Tests and planned to host more punk ball Tests in days to come.

“In promoting concepts like day-night Test cricket, we are attempting to preserve the core characteristics that make Test cricket unique and at the same time making Test cricket more accessible and appealing to fans who are increasingly spoilt for choice in cricket and other sporting content,” he said.

Speaking on One-Day Internationals and Twenty20s, he added, “One-day cricket continues to be important and the recent World Cup in Australia and New Zealand highlighted to us again just how powerful context is in driving fan support and interest."

"In between World Cups though there is an opportunity for cricket to create a genuine league that includes a World Cup qualification process, ensuring that every ODI match counts toward something meaningful."

Sutherland said, “On the T20 format, the Big Bash League and Women’s Big Bash League has proven that we can attract new fans to the game, particularly women and children. Rather than driving scarcity of T20 cricket that is required to protect Test Cricket, the scheduling of T20 cricket should ensure there is ample T20 content for cricket to fulfil its vision."

"The bigger the fan base for T20 cricket, the bigger the opportunity to convert T20 fans into fans of other formats of the game,” he added.