Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg believes the fiery and competitive atmosphere of the current England vs India series could boost interest in the Ashes 2025. He feels the intensity displayed in the ongoing contests will generate excitement among fans looking forward to more heated rivalries.

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has featured several tense moments, starting from the opening Test at Lord’s. Players from both sides have frequently engaged in verbal exchanges, adding to the drama on the field. Such incidents have captured global attention and heightened interest in the series.

According to Greenberg, this kind of high-energy cricket creates anticipation and builds hype for future tours. He hopes the same level of passion and competitiveness will be seen during the Ashes, making it easier to attract fans and sell tickets. The drama and aggression of the India-England rivalry, he feels, is setting the stage perfectly for another thrilling chapter in cricket.

See Also: WATCH: Yashasvi Jaiswal trapped LBW by Gus Atkinson early on Day 1 of ENG vs IND 2025 5th Test

The Intense Moment Between India and England:

Tensions rose further during the Manchester Test when Indian players Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar chose not to shake hands with England captain Ben Stokes, opting instead for an early draw. The incident drew attention and stirred conversations among fans and experts alike.

India’s coach Gautam Gambhir allegedly clashed with The Oval’s pitch curator, adding to the series drama. However, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg welcomed the intensity, saying the heated moments make the contest exciting for neutral fans and help boost interest and engagement in the game.

Cricket Australia CEO said, “ It’s great, isn’t it? It’s great cricket (India vs England series for Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy) to watch as a fan.”

Todd Greenberg Sees Intense Cricket Fueling Ashes Hype:

The upcoming Ashes 2025-26 series is set to begin in November, and Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg is optimistic about surpassing the massive turnout of 837,879 fans recorded during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. That series marked the highest attendance for a non-Ashes Test campaign in Australia’s history.

Greenberg expressed admiration for England’s style of play and looks forward to seeing them in action on Australian soil. He also mentioned that pre-sales for Ashes tickets have already doubled compared to the Border-Gavaskar series, signaling strong interest and anticipation for one of cricket’s most iconic rivalries.

Greenberg further said, “ Everyone will have their opinion when our English friends arrive I’m sure, and we’re looking forward to that very much. I love the way they’re playing their cricket and I can’t wait to see them test themselves on our shores. It’s great cricket to watch leading into them coming here on this Ashes trip. It will sell more tickets for us. We like to think that’s talkability.”

Cricket Australia announced that opening day tickets for all five Ashes Tests in Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney are sold out. Tickets for the first three days at the Gabba, Adelaide Oval, and SCG have also been fully booked, showing strong fan demand for the series.

Cricket Australia (CA) is weighing a landmark shift in the Big Bash League’s (BBL) structure by allowing private investment in its eight franchises. This bold consideration comes in the wake of English cricket’s successful $2 billion windfall from selling minority stakes in The Hundred teams, a move that’s sparked fresh interest in the future of T20 franchise ownership globally.

An independent review done by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) recommended that CA consider divesting minority interests in each BBL team that might see CA pocket more than $100 million. That would be the most radical cultural change to Australian cricket since Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket in 1977.

From Resistance to Reassessment

Unlike leagues such as the IPL, SA20, and ILT20, which are backed by private and corporate ownership, the BBL has remained under the control of CA and state associations since its inception. However, with top players increasingly prioritising more lucrative leagues overseas, the BBL’s appeal has declined, a trend CA is keen to reverse.

One of the main reasons CA has historically resisted private investment is the scheduling overlap between the BBL and the home Test summer. Broadcasters prefer the current format, but any involvement from private owners would likely come with demands for a standalone BBL window, enabling Australia’s Test stars to participate fully. This could trigger significant calendar reshuffles and potentially strain broadcast agreements.

Financial Pressures and Facility Upgrades

The push toward privatisation also comes at a time of tightening budgets and rising pressure on infrastructure. State associations like New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland currently don’t earn direct revenue from their home grounds. Meanwhile, iconic venues like the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) have been earmarked for major upgrades, including improvements to the fan experience and the introduction of drop-in pitches.

CA recently initiated a round of cost-cutting measures under CEO Todd Greenberg, reflecting a broader need to bolster cash reserves. The sale of BBL stakes could provide critical funding not just for the league, but for grassroots cricket and venue improvements as well.

ALSO SEE: Tension at The Oval: Staff Threaten to File Complaint Against Gautam Gambhir

Global Interest and Franchise Relocation

The review by BCG revealed growing global interest in acquiring stakes in BBL teams. Inspired by the fierce bidding war for the London Spirit in The Hundred, CA officials see an opportunity to capitalise on this business momentum.

But the changes might not stop at private investment. CA is also exploring a potential restructuring of the league, including the controversial idea of relocating existing teams. The Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades are being considered for possible relocation to markets like Singapore or New Zealand to widen the league’s reach. Canberra has also mounted a strong case for its own team, spearheaded by Cricket ACT chairman Greg Boorer.

Alternatively, CA could choose to expand the league by offering new licences rather than diluting ownership in current franchises, a model reminiscent of the AFL’s approach during its national expansion.

Caution and Consensus

Even with the extensive research and vibrant financial reasoning, CA is expected, as reported, to adopt a wait-and-see approach. So far, it seems that during the next meeting of the board of directors, no final decision will be made, and discussion is anticipated to go on for months ahead. The chairman, Mike Baird, and CEO Greenberg are, according to sources, working to build support among stakeholders before any formal move.

Should they go ahead, this swing toward partial privatisation could help galvanise the BBL and attract big international stars with proper salary arrangements, and achieve relevancy in a saturated global T20 market.  For now, Cricket Australia sits before an inflection point in its history, and the path taken could reconfigure Australian cricket for years to come.

The West Indies were thoroughly outplayed and decimated by Australia in the third Test at Sabina Park in Kingston. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland unleashed hell on the inexperienced Windies batting lineup to skittle them for a shambolic 27 in the second innings. In a series that has been largely dominated by the ball, the West Indian quicks played their part with the ball in crucial stages of the series, but the batters failed to follow suit and, as a result, suffered a 0-3 drubbing at the hands of the 2025 WTC Finalist. 

Following their humiliating Sabina Park embarrassment, fans worldwide have come down hard on West Indies cricket as they simply can't fathom the shocking downfall. After the West Indies' historic win at the Gabba in 2024, the fans expected the Men in Maroon to put up a fight. After two closely contested tests, the West Indies were tasked with chasing down 204 to avoid a series whitewash. It all came down to their batters, who failed to put up any resistance of sorts, and as a result, capitulated for the second-lowest total in Test cricket. 

See also: RECORD ALERT: Scott Boland becomes first bowler to claim hattrick in day night Test

Reaction of the fans:

West Indies all out for 27 runs?
Every time we think they can't fall lower than this they prove us wrong!!! https://t.co/jaW74yPqcG

— #Savarkar Satish 🚩🇮🇳 (@sat_gollapudi) July 15, 2025

The West indies fans should not have to pay for this kind of performance. They should refund the cost of each and every ticket sold.

— RT71🇺🇲🇮🇳🤔🍻 (@rohittal) July 15, 2025

I can't bear watching this horrible West Indies team. Two division Test Cricket is need of the hour.

— Bodhan Biswas 🇮🇳 (@bodhan11) July 15, 2025

The poor show with the bat has allowed West Indies to stoop to a new low. Across all three Tests, the West Indies batters struggled to hold their ground and reportedly failed to bat even beyond the 35th over mark. Following their latest decline in Test cricket, calls for a two-tier Test system from the fans have grown louder ever since. 

But despite the tragedy with the bat, the West Indies had a few positives to cherish. Their pace battery, featuring Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, and to some extent, Justin Greaves, went rampant with the ball. Shamar in particular fired on all cylinders and finished as the series' highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets under his belt. Alzarri and Seales emerged as the joint fourth-highest wicket-takers with 13 wickets and one five-wicket haul each to their name. Had their batters complemented the efforts of their bowlers to some extent, the series score line may have appeared a lot different. 

Australian tall right-arm quick bowler Gordon Rorke passed away on July 5, 2025, at age 87. Rorke stood at 6' 5" and played four Tests. He made his maiden appearance for Australia against England during the home Ashes series in 1958. The New South Wales-born pacer played a pivotal role in that series and claimed a match-winning 5/101 in the final Adelaide Test to help Australia crush the touring England side by 4-0.

The tall speedster went on to make two appearances apiece against India and England. All four Test appearances came in the year of 1958. Rorke played his last international game against India at Kanpur during that year, where he contracted a severe illness in the form of hepatitis. 

See also: Australian media slams ICC's 'Double Standards' after Usman Khawaja ban: Know entire story line

Rorke's controversies with no-ball

Rorke's career saw an unexpected controversy come to light. Given the fact that Rorke was stupendously tall in stature, this allowed Rorke to drag his back foot to such an extent that it would allow him to deliver the ball with his front foot being several feet over the bowling crease. Subsequently, the no-ball law was dragged into question because of his ability to bowl in that fashion. The drag, allied to his height and his genuine pace, made him a difficult bowler to contend with. 

The news of his demise was confirmed by Cricket NSW, who expressed their deep-felt condolences to him and his family. 

"Cricket NSW extends its deepest condolences to Gordon's family and friends at this difficult time while celebrating his contribution to our game."

The negative effects of the illness from the Indian tour did not dissipate as many at the time expected them to. The prolonged after-effects of illness got the better of him, and his career saw a premature end at the age of 25. Rorke could never play for Australia ever again but continued his association with grade cricket for Manley and Mosman until his mid-thirties. While representing New South Wales in first-class cricket, Rorke maintained a healthy average of 24.8 with 88 wickets under his belt. 

Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon has brushed aside any speculation about retirement, saying he remains as committed as ever to Test cricket, with major milestones and unfinished business still driving him forward. While he has recently handed over the iconic post-match victory song duties to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, Lyon insists that this move is in no way linked to winding down his international career.

“I’ve been very honoured to first lead the song, but to have it for 12, 13 years, it’s been one of the biggest highlights of my career,” Lyon said. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, but this definitely doesn’t mean I’m retiring anytime soon. There’s no talk about me retiring or even thoughts coming in my head.”

The 36-year-old, currently in the Caribbean with the Australian team, has his eyes firmly set on two major targets before calling time on his career an away Ashes win in England and a long-awaited series triumph in India. “I’ve always said I want to win away in India, and I want to win away in England,” he stressed. “We’ve got that opportunity in a couple of years’ time, but right now it’s about getting the job done here in the West Indies and then preparing for a big summer back home with the Ashes. Another World Test Championship final is also on my radar.”

Lyon Nears 600 Wickets, Hands Team Song to Carey

Lyon’s stature in Australian cricket is already monumental. He is the most successful off-spinner in the country’s history and is inching closer to the 600-wicket milestone. At his current strike rate of four wickets per Test, Lyon is well on course to surpass that mark and perhaps even challenge Shane Warne’s legendary tally of 708. Though Lyon is quick to downplay comparisons, saying, “Warney’s a long way away. In my eyes, he’s the greatest to ever play the game,” the numbers suggest that Lyon’s legacy could rival the very best.

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The off-spinner took over the tradition of leading Australia’s post-win anthem Under The Southern Cross I Stand from Mike Hussey in 2013. That torch has now been passed to Carey, but in a symbolic and thoughtful gesture, Lyon ensured the moment was personal, slipping a letter under Carey’s hotel room door during the Barbados Test.

“It’s more about the team environment and making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it on to someone who I look at and absolutely love and the way he goes about it on and off the field,” Lyon explained. “I just feel like Alex is the perfect candidate. I feel like I ran my race with it, and it’s time for someone else to put their touch on it.”

Lyon Reflects on 13-Year Journey, Eyes More Milestones Ahead

Now 13 years into his Test journey, Lyon is one of only two survivors alongside Mitchell Starc from Australia’s 2012 tour of the West Indies. Reflecting on that continuity and commitment, Lyon said, “There’s been a lot of hard work that goes in behind the scenes that a lot of people don’t see. But I was sitting on the balcony this morning thinking, s**t, I was here in 2012.”

With a minimum of 21 more Tests possible in the current World Test Championship cycle, plus a landmark 150th anniversary Test against England in 2027, Lyon’s journey is far from done. In his own words, he's still "playing his role" in what he believes is a team on the path to greatness, and he intends to be part of that climb for a while yet.

Australian opening batsman Usman Khawaja hogged the limelight off-field after Day 1 of the first Test against West Indies in Barbados, refusing to give an interview to radio station SEN. This had nothing to do with cricket, but was a silent protest regarding the dismissal of veteran journalist Peter Lalor a few weeks ago for his pro-Palestinian social media messages.

After the day's play at Kensington Oval, Khawaja was approached by the media manager of Australia, Cole Hitchcock, to conduct a pre-recorded interview with SEN commentators Bharat Sundaresan and Adam Collins. The left-handed batsman declined graciously, ostensibly out of solidarity with Lalor, who has been one of the high-profile voices in Australian cricket reporting.

Khawaja, who has spoken out on matters of human rights, had previously criticized Lalor's sacking. "Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic… it has everything to do with justice and human rights," he posted on Instagram. "Pete is a good guy with a good heart. He deserves better."

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] Rohit Sharma reflects on India's unbelievable win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024

Usman Khawaja avoids interview to rally behind fired journalist Peter Lalor

Lalor, meanwhile, reporting on the West Indies series in his Cricket Et Al podcast, valued Khawaja's gesture as a "man of principle" whose endorsement he really cherishes. Khawaja's approach follows a trend of employing his platform for human causes. Throughout the 2023 Test series against Pakistan, he was prevented from wearing shoes with messages such as "All lives are equal" and "Freedom is a human right." Instead, he wore a black armband to make quiet gestures.

In spite of the incident, Cricket Australia won't take action against Khawaja since player interviews with broadcasters aren't compulsory. In cricket, it was a day of action. Australia were bowled out for a paltry 180, Jayden Seales taking a five-wicket haul and Shamar Joseph taking four. There was some initial resistance from Travis Head (59) and Khawaja (47). In reply, Australia's bowlers fought back hard, piling up West Indies to 57/4 at stumps, with Mitchell Starc spearheading the attack.

Though the game is still evenly balanced, Khawaja's off-field stance has brought to the fore larger debates regarding free speech, human rights, and the accountability of public personalities.

Cricket, just like other sports, is administered by a governing body whose primary task is to supervise cricketing activities and oversee the growth of the game both at a domestic and international level. From scheduling tournaments to handling player contracts, these boards amass a lot of wealth through broadcasting rights and sponsorships.

At the global level, the International Cricket Council (ICC) executes these operations, but at the national level, each country has its designated cricketing body that administers cricket within its own borders. We will explore the top 10 richest cricket boards that have established their legacy on the big stage and are earning in the millions as we speak. 

See also: How the year 2025 continues to witness historic title victories across all sports

Top 10 richest cricket boards

India and Australia shape the forces of world cricket

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

Established in the year 1926, the BCCI has quickly shot to prominence thanks to the advent of the IPL and iconic superstars like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. They are arguably the richest cricketing board in the world, with an estimated net value of INR 18,760 Crore. Franchise fees, sponsorships, merchandising, and ticket sales contribute billions annually. Moreover, from media rights, a major chunk of the revenue comes from Star Sports (Disney+Hotstar) and Viacom18. Furthermore, title sponsorships (e.g., Paytm, Dream11, IDFC First) add further income. BCCI commands over 38% of ICC’s global revenue share, due to India’s market dominance in viewership and advertising.

Cricket Australia (CA)

Established as early in 1877, Cricket Australia (CA) is one of the wealthiest and most influential cricket boards in the world, second only to the BCCI. But compared to its rival, the board is significantly smaller in terms of revenue, market power, and global reach. In 2022–23, CA reported ~AUD $362 million (≈ USD $240 million) in total revenue. Revenue primarily comes from Broadcast rights (domestic & international), ICC distributions, Sponsorships, and Ticket sales & merchandising. 

Cricket Australia have lost a gem in the form of Glenn Maxwell, who has announced his retirement from the 50-over format with immediate effect. The 36-year-old was a true icon for the national side and played an instrumental role in scripting some of Australia's memorable wins, most notably their unbelievable three-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, he has assured that he will be available for selection in the T20I and aims to prolong his career in the shortest format until next year's T20 World Cup.

See also: Joe Root: England’s Greatest Batter of All Time

Maxwell drops a bombshell by announcing his ODI retirement

The swashbuckling all-rounder made his retirement public in a long-form interview on the Final Word Podcast on Monday. Maxwell cited physical burnout as the major reason behind withdrawing from this format. He further admitted that the workload had become unbearable, especially during Australia's CT 2025 campaign.  

"I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how my body was reacting to the conditions. I had a good chat with [Australia chair of selectors] George Bailey, and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward. We talked about the 2027 World Cup, and I said to him, 'I don't think I am going to make that, it's time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it and make the position their own'. Hopefully, they get enough of a lead-in to hang onto that role."

The Victoria-based cricketer becomes the latest Australian cricketer to announce ODI retirement, following Steve Smith. Although Maxwell has not officially called time on his Test career, the chances of him making it to the Test squad appear very slim. 

A look at Maxwell's glorious ODI career

Maxwell primarily batted in the middle order and has usually played the role of a hard-hitter. Equipped with a wide range of shots in his armoury, Maxwell was a very handy prospect with the ball as well, with four four-wicket hauls under his belt. As far as his batting is concerned, his numbers are astonishingly impressive. In 149 ODI games, Maxwell amassed 3990 runs at an average of 33.81 with four centuries under his belt.

Besides, Maxwell's strike rate of 126.7 is the second-best strike rate achieved by any batter in ODI cricket after Andre Russell. One of the most defining knocks that amplified his glorious cricketing career was in the 2023 World Cup, where he saved his side from a humiliating defeat against Afghanistan in Mumbai. With Australia reeling at 91-7, Maxwell rode his luck and played a once-in-a-lifetime innings of 201* to steer Australia home. In the process, he also became the first and only Australian batter to score a double ton in ODI cricket.

Cricket Australia revealed the men's centrally contracted list for the season 2025-26. The list of 23 includes three new names: Beau Webster, Sam Konstas, and Matthew Kuhnemann.

Sam Konstas made a debut test appearance against India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which impressed cricket administrators, earning him a central contract. Opening his Test account as a teenager of 19, he did amazingly well when pitted against world-class bowlers and gave instant returns in his first effort.

Matthew Kuhnemann, the left-arm spinner, played a key part in Australia's series victory over Sri Lanka. He picked 16 wickets in two matches and was also declared Player of the Series. His consistent play has seen him included in the team as Nathan Lyon's reserve.

Beau Webster, who is an all-rounder, impressed everyone with his batting and bowling skills on his Test debut. His dual ability as a medium-fast bowler and off-spinner brings balance to the Australian team. Chief selector George Bailey had all praise for Webster's efforts, emphasizing his flexibility and promise.

The trio takes the place of Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie, and Todd Murphy, who were excluded from contracts this year. Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Spencer Johnson, who have represented Australia in limited-overs cricket, also did not cut. T20 specialists Tim David and Marcus Stoinis are outside the contracted list but are likely to play in the shortest format.

ALSO SEE: Wicket on Debut Ball: 2 more Mumbai Indians cricketers did the same before Ashwani Kumar

Cricket Australia's centrally contracted players for 2025-26:

The list shows Cricket Australia's determination to have a solid team across all formats. With players like Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green back from injury, Australia anticipates a lively international season.

Australian cricket veteran Steve Smith has made his One Day International (ODI) retirement official after Australia's semi-final loss to India in the Champions Trophy 2025. The 35-year-old veteran batter, who scored a gritty 73 as the top scorer for his side, told his teammates straight after the match that it was his last ODI outing.

But Smith has asserted that he will play Test and T20I cricket, with emphasis on future big red-ball series, such as the World Test Championship Final, West Indies tour, and Ashes series against England in Australia.

An Emotional Farewell

Looking back at his career, Smith has credited being part of an exemplary ODI career lasting almost 15 years. It has been a wonderful ride, and I have enjoyed every moment of it. There have been so many great times and great memories. Winning two World Cups was a wonderful highlight, as well as the many great teammates who were part of the journey," Smith stated.

He added that with the 2027 ODI World Cup looming, it was the appropriate time for Australia to begin planning for the future.

Now is an excellent time for individuals to begin preparing for the 2027 World Cup, so it is the perfect time to step aside."

🚨BREAKING🚨: Australian stalwart Steve Smith has announced his retirement from ODI cricket#SteveSmith #CricketAustralia pic.twitter.com/eTYWGLGnFu

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 5, 2025

Steve Smith's Magnificent ODI Career

Smith departs ODIs with a fantastic record:

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• 5800 runs in 170 games
• 12 centuries and 32 half-centuries
• Two-time ICC Cricket World Cup champion (2015, 2023)
• Captained Australia in 64 ODIs, winning 32

Smith was instrumental in Australia's 2015 World Cup win under Michael Clarke and also a member of the team that won the trophy once again in 2023 under Pat Cummins.

His stint in leadership included many highlights such as series wins against England and India in 2016, a Chappell-Hadlee Trophy victory, and a tri-series victory over South Africa and West Indies. His most recent effort was guiding Australia to a 3-0 ODI clean sweep against West Indies in 2023-24.

Tribute from Cricket Australia

After his statement, Cricket Australia's Selectors Chairman, George Bailey, noted Smith's input into Australian cricket.

"We wholeheartedly agree and endorse Steve's retirement from One Day International cricket. His batting record over 167 matches is second to none, and to depart the format as a two-time World Cup champion is testament to his place among the great Australian ODI players."

Bailey also reaffirmed that Smith is entirely committed to Test cricket, where he remains an integral leader and precious asset.

The Journey of a Leg-Spinner to a Great Batsman

The career of Smith on the international scene started in 2010, when he played as a leg-spinning all-rounder against the West Indies. Over time, he developed into one of the great batters of his time with his unorthodox batting and capability to command in all weather.

Apart from his batting exploits, Smith also made contributions with the ball, picking up 28 wickets at a mean of 34.67. His performance in ODIs saw him receive several awards, including:

• Australian Men's ODI Player of the Year (2015, 2021)
• ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year (2015)

What's Next for Smith?
Even though his ODI career is over, Smith's attention now turns to red-ball cricket, where he is still an integral part of the Australian Test team. With the World Test Championship Final, the West Indies tour, and the Ashes series on the horizon, fans can still look forward to witnessing the Australian maestro at his best.

As Australia sets its sights on a new era of ODIs, Steve Smith's legacy as a two-time World Cup champion, a fearless captain, and one of the greatest batters of his era will always be remembered in cricketing history.