Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
Recently departed Venues NSW boss Tony Shepherd has declared he is leaving his post with the Sydney Test safely locked away.
South Australian cricket had made an audacious bid to try and steal the New Year’s Test for Adelaide, but News Corp understands Cricket Australia has made it clear to NSW powerbrokers that this won’t be happening.
Shepherd last week announced he was leaving his post as the most influential figure in NSW sport, but not before being assured the jewel in the crown of Sydney’s sporting calendar is secure from the clutches of marauding Adelaide politicians and cricket administrators.
“It will never happen. NSW is absolutely vital to Australian cricket,” Shepherd told News Corp.
“NSW is too important to the game in terms of the number of players produced for Test level and the size of the market.
“The Sydney New Year’s Test match is more than a Test. It’s an iconic event which serves as an inspiration for young people and juniors to play the game.
“The New Year’s Test helps to maintain and grow the great game. Quite simply, NSW is too important to the game.”
CA did not comment other than to say: “We are talking to all States and Territories on long term term test content.”
Cricket Australia bosses are still to finalise next summer’s schedule, but the New Year’s Test is guaranteed to stay in Sydney.
Another key aspect of the international season in 2023-24 will be that the second Test against the West Indies will fall on Australia Day.
There was some consternation at CA about how it might be received to have a Test played over January 26, given the dismay expressed by Indigenous star Ashleigh Gardner about the Australian women’s team being scheduled to play on the public holiday this summer.
Cricket Australia did not schedule any Big Bash League matches for January 26 this summer, much to the annoyance of broadcasters who felt an opportunity was missed to once again beat the Australian Open in the TV ratings on the national public holiday.
However, Justin Mohamed, a leading Indigenous figure who advises Cricket Australia on Aboriginal matters, has spoken passionately about cricket not ignoring the day.
