The seven biggest issues facing new CA boss Todd Greenberg

India. Franchise cricket. Privatising the Big Bash. BEN HORNE lists the seven short balls the new Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg needs to navigate as he steps into the hot seat.

Todd Greenberg has officially commenced in the Cricket Australia hot seat and he’s got off to a flying start by rubber-stamping a day-night Ashes spectacular at the MCG in two years time to mark the 150th anniversary of Australia’s rivalry against England.

But there are plenty of challenges on the horizon for the former NRL chief executive… here are the seven burning issues Greenberg will have to face up to.

7. BRING BACK THE CRICKET ACADEMY AND MAKE NSW GREAT AGAIN

With Australia on the brink of mass retirements, alarm bells are ringing about player depth across the country. It’s time to consider reviving the Australian Cricket Academy that churned out greats like Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds.

The two No.1 priorities should be finding another match-winning Test leg-spinner and fostering Test match batting techniques.

Another focus for Greenberg might be to make NSW Great Again.

New South Wales batter Matthew Gilkes at the crease against WA at the WACA Ground. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

The Blues remain a chance of sneaking into the Sheffield Shield final heading into the final round of matches which is an improvement on recent seasons, but the one-time development factory still has a long way to go to reclaim its former standing as the game’s No.1 nursery for talent.

Disquiet still exists in NSW cricket, and as a former administrator of Cricket NSW, Greenberg will have his ear to the ground.

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6. STAND UP TO INDIA

Massaging the relationship with superpowers India is always a key part of any Cricket Australia CEO’s mandate. But there has to be a line.

The preferential favours India has received with scheduling in the past three ICC tournaments is a farce. Obviously there were political reasons at play for India not playing in Pakistan during the recent Champions Trophy, but what about the past two World Cups where India has had their semi-final venues predetermined?

Meanwhile, Australia’s schedule at last year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean was all over the place.

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5. BRING NRL MENTALITY

One of greatest attributes Greenberg can bring to the table in cricket is his thick skin. Greenberg went through it all in the rough and tumble world of the NRL and cricket could do worse than lean into some (definitely not all) elements of the rugby league soap opera.

Cricket can be overly sensitive at times. Some of the hostility that’s existed between players and ex-players in more recent times is one example. Hard opinions over selection and other big issues should be more readily embraced, because even if you disagree, robust discussions at least show that people care and that’s a good thing.

David Warner in action for the Thunder. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images.

Mitchell Johnson hasn’t been shy with opinions. Picture: Mark Brake

4. PRIVATISE AND EXPAND THE BIG BASH

It’s understood Todd Greenberg is open to the prospect of privatising the Big Bash and Cricket Australia will do its homework this year.

Big decisions are looming and they will be the most crucial in the competition’s 15-year history. If done correctly, private equity could open up incredible financial opportunities for the game in this country. Expansion is also firmly on the agenda, with a Canberra franchise sweating on getting the green light, much to the chagrin of Cricket NSW and Victoria.

3. MISSION 2027

Australia could be forgiven for many other failings, if it can nail the massive double header of beating India in India and England in England in 2027.

Australia’s teams need to be humming for these two massive five-Test campaigns. Winning overseas in these countries is the final frontier.

There’s also an ODI World Cup defence in that same year (insane scheduling) but the priority for Australia is undoubtedly defeating their two great rivals on their own patch.

Will Steve Smith make it to India in 2027? Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

2. SAVE TEST CRICKET

Test cricket in Australia, England and India has never been in greater health, but CA has a responsibility to save Test cricket in countries like South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka.

If Test cricket becomes a contest between three, the special buzz of the Ashes and the Border Gavaskar Trophy will ultimately suffer.

It’s in Australia’s interests to pool resources to help the battlers continue to compete in the greatest form of the game. This also goes for women’s Test cricket.

Australia is leagues ahead of every other nation and CA needs to help foster player development around the world.

1. CLUB OR COUNTRY

When the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis walk out for their Indian Premier League franchises in a fortnight’s time, some may wonder whether they might have been pushed through niggling injuries for the recent tournament in Pakistan had it been a World Cup instead of the Champions Trophy.

Australian and Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins in last year’s IPL.

The juggle between country and franchise cricket is only becoming more complex and this will be a minefield for Greenberg to navigate.

Cricket Australia is right to be showing more flexibility with players in an age when franchise money is exploding, but should it come at a price? Making Big Bash participation compulsory or docking pay from central contracts for those who rest from international tours could be two possibilities.

Originally published as The seven biggest issues facing new CA boss Todd Greenberg