New Delhi, September 15 (Daily Kiran) : Former Australian cricketer Ed Cowan has advised against rushing the privatization of the Big Bash League (BBL). Speaking to ABC News, he noted that last season’s adjustments in scheduling, international player involvement, and salary cap regulations have proven effective. “We’ve already seen that attracting some of the world’s best players isn’t an issue,” Cowan stated, referencing Ben Stokes’s move to Adelaide and Finn Allen’s recent mega deal. He added that concerns about losing players to South Africa‘s league have yet to materialize.
Cowan suggested that the BBL could benefit from more thoughtful management, allowing time to assess whether selling star assets is truly necessary. “When you start burning furniture to heat your home, things can quickly spiral out of control,” he warned.
Despite Cowan’s caution, the privatization initiative has gained support from prominent figures like Australia’s ODI and Test captain Pat Cummins, as well as Sophie Molineux, captain of the women’s T20 team. Cummins remarked, “If privatization is done well, it could be very beneficial for the sport. The BBL has many advantages, and as an Australian captain, I believe Test cricket is essential for our future.”
Molineux echoed these sentiments, highlighting the potential for new investments to enhance the game. “The Women’s Big Bash is still the best competition in the world in terms of quality. With the new opportunities that privatization could bring, I hope the league will improve even further,” she said.
However, Cricket New South Wales (NSW) has expressed opposition to the BBL’s privatization. In a statement, they voiced disappointment with Cricket Australia’s decision to pursue private investment in the league without uniformity across Australian cricket. They warned that this move could have detrimental strategic and financial impacts on cricket in NSW and Australia, directly affecting their ability to invest at the grassroots level.
Cricket Australia has recently opened the door to private investment in the BBL, framing it as a “self-determination model” for states, which will ultimately decide when and if to sell shares. They have also agreed to solicit bids from private owners for 100% ownership of the Melbourne Renegades, allowing the club to compete under new ownership in the 2027-28 WBBL and BBL seasons.
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