Cricket Australia's Revenue Warning on the Future of Bilateral ODIs

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-08-16

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has raised serious concerns about the financial fallout that could follow if bilateral ODI cricket is stripped from the international calendar. Even as he acknowledged the format needs more context and stakes to stay relevant, he made it clear that revenue can't just be ignored. Speaking in Darwin during Australia's opening Test against Bangladesh, Greenberg responded to ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta's recent remarks that the age of loosely scheduled bilateral series must end. Gupta has argued that the ODI format's future should be tied more closely to the World Cup cycle, a vision that's gaining traction among the sport's power brokers. ### Greenberg Backs Need For More Context In Bilateral ODIs Greenberg confirmed that Gupta had delivered similar messages during a visit to Cricket Australia's Melbourne offices, and he broadly agreed with the direction of that thinking. He said matches need to carry weight and consequence for players and fans alike, but stressed that boards cannot simply erase bilateral ODIs without addressing what replaces the revenue those fixtures generate. That's the crux of the tension here. Broadcast deals across the cricketing world lean heavily on bilateral ODI content, and Greenberg made clear that any restructuring has to account for that commercial reality. He described the situation as a balancing act between short-term broadcast obligations and long-term structural reform, adding that creating meaning within the calendar remains important even though achieving it will not happen quickly or easily. Greenberg currently sits on the ICC working group tasked with finalising the Future Tours Programme for the 2028-31 cycle, and the same group is also sketching an early outline for 2032-35. His position gives him a front-row seat to the negotiations that will shape the sport for the next decade. His comments suggest Cricket Australia will push for a format that retains context-heavy fixtures while protecting the financial base bilateral cricket provides to member boards, particularly those without the bargaining power of the bigger nations. Smaller boards rely on those guaranteed match days to fund grassroots development, stadium maintenance, and player wages. ### Squad Size Push Gains Momentum Ahead Of World Cup Beyond the FTP discussions, Greenberg addressed Australia coach Andrew McDonald's call for larger squads at the upcoming ODI World Cup, a request driven by changes to the tournament format. Greenberg said Cricket Australia has pushed the issue directly with the ICC after McDonald made his position clear internally. He noted that several other countries have raised similar concerns, and that squad-size flexibility has become a live topic on the ICC's agenda as boards adjust to the revised structure of the event. With the tournament expanding to more matches over a longer window, teams need extra cover for injuries and workload management. ### Associate Nations Left Out As Format Shrinks On the reduction of Associate teams in the ODI World Cup, Greenberg said Cricket Australia did not push hard against the change, noting that the decision appeared to arrive with limited consultation beforehand. He said the shift likely reflects an effort to maximise commercial returns from the tournament, while acknowledging that some Associate nations have expressed frustration publicly. That frustration is understandable. For countries like Scotland, Namibia, and the Netherlands, a World Cup appearance is often the single biggest revenue event in their entire calendar. Losing that platform makes it harder to grow the game locally. Greenberg suggested the T20 World Cup, which is expanding to include more Associate sides, offers those nations a more realistic pathway into ICC events going forward. He confirmed Cricket Australia supports that broader strategy, even as the ODI World Cup narrows its field. - More Associate teams in T20 events means more exposure and funding opportunities - ODI World Cup shrinking to a 10-team format reduces the chances for emerging nations - The ICC appears to be betting on T20 as the growth vehicle for global cricket Greenberg's comments arrive as the ICC continues shaping the next FTP cycle, with bilateral ODI cricket's structure, revenue model, and place in the international calendar all still under active discussion among member boards. The decisions made in the coming months will determine not just the schedule, but the financial health of the sport worldwide.