Cricket Australia Interim CEO Nick Hockley slams Channel 7 for lodging a complaint against the cricketing body

The feud between Cricket Australia and Channel 7 is no secret. Channel 7 network had recently launched Federal Court proceedings against the Australian board for making key changes in Australia summer cricket schedule. The sports network accused CA of breaching the contract and hosting white-ball cricket against India before the Test series to cater to the interests of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia Interim CEO Nick Hockley finally broke his silence on the whole fiasco and slammed Channel 7 for creating ruckus in an otherwise positive environment. He also extended his gratitude to their friends in BCCI for making the India tour of Australia happen despite the challenges posted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“With so much positivity around Australian cricket, it is disappointing that Seven West Media has again chosen to use the media to talk our wonderful game down,” Hockley responded in a statement posted on cricketworld.com.

“CA has maintained all along our commitment to delivering a thrilling summer of cricket … I’m proud to say we are doing just that. We remain confident in our contractual position. In the most challenging environment sport has faced, with the support of our friends at the BCCI, CA has ensured that the much-anticipated series with India can go ahead safely.” he added.

Cricket Australia Interim CEO Nick Hockley thank the team of Channel 7

India and Australia are up against each other in the ongoing three-match ODI series which will be followed by as many T20Is. The two teams will then fight in a four-match Test series, starting from December 17 in Adelaide.

According to Seven West Media’s chief executive James Warburton, CA should have started the marquee tour with the Test series as per the original schedule. Channel 7 has the broadcasting rights of the Test series while Fox Sports had acquired the rights for limited-overs format.

Further in his statement, Hockley stated that CA is thankful to the entire team of Channel 7 who is still working hard to ensure that they deliver prime quality of content to the viewers despite the ongoing legal battle. He also reckoned that CA has always fulfilled their obligations to their partners and would continue the same this year too by providing a spectacular summer of cricket.

“We continue to have tremendous respect for the hardworking people across Channel 7’s cricket and news broadcast teams and congratulate them on the substantial increase in ratings cricket has delivered them to date this season.