Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive Todd Greenberg has indicated that he is open to the prospect of hosting a Test match between Australia and England in India. The move would aim to place more content into high-value markets, a strategy already being explored by CA, which recently decided to host a Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers in Chennai this December.
While noting that such a plan is not currently in the works, Greenberg stated that it is certainly open for consideration. He emphasized the strength of the relationships CA holds with both the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Any potential relocation of a Test would require formal sign-off from both CA and the ECB, alongside cooperation from the BCCI.
The financial appeal of the Indian market is significant, as highlighted by an ECB report from earlier this year. The report projected that English cricket would remain profitable due to a recent white-ball tour by India, whereas the board expects losses in 2027 despite hosting the men’s and women’s Ashes. The ECB noted that its revenues are inherently cyclical, depending heavily on the scheduling of high-value broadcast series.
Greenberg believes that bringing such high-profile matches to India would help further establish the place of Test cricket within the modern sporting ecosystem, especially as franchise cricket and the Indian Premier League continue to expand globally. Despite the challenges of fitting such events into an already crowded international schedule, the CA chief maintains that the rivalry between Australia, England, and India remains strong. He added that the sport is effectively bucking global trends, and the board is committed to continuing its growth and strength.
In the meantime, Australia and England are preparing to face off in a one-off pink-ball Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March of next year. This match will celebrate the 150th anniversary of their first-ever meeting, though the Ashes will not be at stake for the occasion.
