Second Test: Australia v South Africa

Today marks the first Test at the Australian Football League’s Adelaide Oval. For international viewers, you may notice that the ground previously known as the Adelaide Oval is in a state of demolition. Essentially, this is because the Australian Football League (they administer a sport called ‘Australian Rules Football’, which is played in one nation of 20,000,000 people and think that they run Australia) wanted to play their game there. Funny thing is, that they no longer wanted to play at the ground called ‘Football Park’, which had previously been the home of the Adelaide Crows and Port Power. If you are not from Australia, you will never have heard of these teams.

 

As a result, the Adelaide Oval is being demolished and rebuilt as a first class sporting arena.

 

The problem is, that the Adelaide Oval ranked as one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. The ground was unique. It really was beautiful. As a South Australian, I first saw a day of Test cricket at this ground. I first saw a day of Sheffield Shield cricket at this ground. The atmosphere was serene. You could go there to relax on the grassy banks, and just become immersed in the action. Now it will be plastic seats and towering stands to block out the view of the Adelaide hills and St Peters Cathedral. This is so sad. I will go to the Adelaide Oval again, but it just wont be the same.

 

The arena will hold 50,000 people in a town of 1 million. The two football teams couldn’t fill their own 50,000 seat arena at West Lakes. Port Power could barely get 20,000 along to their games. Why Adelaide needs another 50,000 seat arena is anybody’s guess. The Australian Football League wanted it, so they got it. They need to get some perspective. They are a big organisation within Australia, but Australia is a small country in a big world. Cricket is global, Australian Rules Football is not.
Anyway. The cricket starts today and it will be great. Shane Watson is not playing, but who really cares. I have never heard so much speculation about the possible availability of a guy who averages in the mid 30s and bowls medium pace. Look for the match to go the full 5 days.

When $80 million isn’t quite what it seems

According to Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, Australian players will be AUD$80 million richer, under the new deal offered to the Australian Cricket Association (ACA) by Cricket Australia.

It is not clear if Michael Clarke will be personally $80 million richer, or if this wealth is to be shared amongst the playing lists from each of the state based teams, as well as the Big Bash franchises. Whatever the case may be, it could appear that Australia’s cricketers can look forward to a boost in pay.

Paul Marsh, head of the ACA, argues that the money offered by Cricket Australia is not in accordance with the demands of the players, claiming that the players have already made significant concessions in the series of negotiations.

The matter appears to be over the percentage of revenue that will be granted to the players by Cricket Australia. Marsh, speaking with Cricinfo, stated that “The simple facts are that we currently have a deal with CA where players receive 26% of a defined pool of revenue.” Marsh continued, claiming the ACA “think CA’s current proposal is designed to see players receive less than their current 26% share and therefore it’s not fair, but in saying that I think with a bit more work we can find a model that can work for both parties.”

Interestingly, Sutherland’s claim that the players will be $80 million better, appears to be based on projections that revenue to Cricket Australia will continue to rise. This could be the case, however with a new major sponsor required, after the move from Vodafone away from sport, a fledgling Twenty20 competition and a new television rights deal likely to be forged in coming years, the $80 million pay rise projected by Sutherland is a little mischievous.