Cricket Australia in trouble after AUS vs ENG First Ashes Test finishes in two days
Cricket Australia faces huge trouble after the opening Test of the Ashes 2025/26 in an anticipated blockbuster series at the Optus Stadium in Perth ends in two days in a combination of several factors.
Just weeks after predicting a record year with the Ashes 2025/26 buzz, Cricket Australia (CA) is set to face a multi-million dollar drain after the rapid-fire two-day Ashes opener at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The combination of some terrific fast bowling, Travis Head’s special knock, and Bazball’s horrible approach led to the first blockbuster game ending late in the evening of the second day.
A record 101514 attended the Test match with 51531 turning for the opening day, followed by 49983 for the second, to surpass the record set of 96463 in Perth last year when India grabbed the victory in four days. Day three for Ashes 2025/26 was sold out as the CA chief executive joked about worrying the game would not last into the third day.
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“It's difficult for several different groups. Our broadcasters first of all. Certainly, us, on ticket sales, and our partners and sponsors. There's a big economic impact on this series.” Greenberg expressed to the SEN Radio while addressing the financial impact of the early finish.
Cricket Australia to lose million dollars post two-day Ashes 2025/26 opener finish
Foxtel reckoned that their broadcast on the opening day was the most-watched first day of a first history test. At the annual general meeting last month, CA announced a loss of $11.3 million and took some criticism from Cricket Victoria for the financial numbers.
“In a normal scheduling, you'd have the white-ball cricket as part of that [Test] tour, but that's being played in this financial year. We're in a position where it's a significant uplift, an over-$20 million improvement. If they were in the same financial year, you would have seen a different position.” Mike Baird, the CA chair, said after their meeting in October.
Both teams will now have nearly two weeks’ break heading into the second clash of the series at the Gabba in Brisbane. It will be a day-night contest starting on December 04 as Pat Cummins is expected to return to lead the home side.
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