Cricket Australia records a $18 million surplus in "healing" year

The Newlands ball-tampering scandal was the absolute nadir for Australian cricket. Following the scandalous affair, Cricket Australia banned the superstar duo of David Warner and former captain Steven Smith. Since that scandal, Cricket Australia made a concerted effort in restoring the beleaguered image, and it now seems that following the considerable improvement in the player’s behavior, the Australian Cricket Board has recorded an operating surplus of more than $18 million in a year of “healing”, according to CA chairman Earl Eddings.

The 18 million dollar surplus is 9.9 million dollar more as compared to the previous year (2018-19). While the improved behavior is certainly one of the prime factors in the increase in the money in the coffers of  Cricket Australia, the increased revenue from the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women Big Bash League (WBBL) is also one of the pivotal factors in CA recording a huge surplus.

According to a report in Republic, more than 2.16 million fans attended the 2018-19 edition of the Big Bash and Women Big Bash League, which is a record figure for a non-Ashes year. The code of conduct charges on the cricketers has also been reduced by 74 percent across all levels from the national team to country competitions.

The last year has redefined the way Australia have played- Earl Eddings

Terming the past year as a healing period of Australian cricket, Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings stated that the prime focus of the board has been towards building a purpose-led culture after what has been a difficult twelve-month period after the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.

Eddings further stated that CA’s motto had been towards restoring the punctured relationship between the cricket fans and Australian cricket besides also claiming that the past 12 months have redefined the way Australians have played cricket. Terming the last year as a period of reintegrating trust between Australian cricket and the general public, Cricket Australia’s CEO Kevin Roberts added that the funding for the state and territories will be increased to 450 million dollars from the previous 100 million dollars. 

He also asserted that a major portion of it will be invested in developing infrastructure and development which includes 58 new roles as they aim to support community cricket.

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