Rebel league row: Cricket Australia committed to ICC

Amid speculation of a rebel league being planned by Indian business tycoon Subhash Chandra, Cricket Australia on Friday said it remains committed to the ICC, ruling out the possibility of siding with any breakaway venture.

“We are aware of the reports around a rebel league and they remain highly speculative, particularly given the proposed scale and complexity,” said chairman Wally Edwards.

“We remain firmly focused on growing the game in Australia for fans and participants, while at international level we will be staunch in working with the ICC and other member countries to protect the interests of the game globally.”

The Essel Group, led by Chandra, has rekindled its interest in cricket, including a move that involves registering companies in Australia, New Zealand and other ICC member nations.

Reacting to the recent developments, Edwards said Australian cricket is going through a great phase. “Australian cricket has never been in better health. Record crowds, television audiences, grassroots participation and commercial support continue to drive record revenue which means player payments have never been higher and will only increase.

“As it stands, Australia’s cricketers are the highest paid athletes of any team sport in the country and the earnings of our top-ranked players would already be close to the numbers referenced in on Friday?s media reports. “But our pay structure is broader than that. It’s about supporting professional cricket at both international and domestic level. The success of international cricket directly subsidises the wages of state cricketers. Any proposed rebel league would jeopardise that.” “Most of Australian cricket’s revenue is reinvested back into the sport, strengthening it for the 1.1 million players at grassroots level around the country.”