AFL will still need to seek approval to play at major venues if cricket’s T20 World Cup is cancelled
India could be doing the AFL a favour if it successfully lobbies to have cricket’s T20 World Cup postponed but there’s another hurdle to overcome before footy regains access to the country’s major stadiums.
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India is poised to make a powerplay that would cast more doubt over Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup, but even if the tournament falls over the AFL wouldn’t simply retain access to the country’s leading venues.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is eyeing the October-November window, currently reserved for the T20 World Cup, to instead stage its rich Indian Premier League.
Perth Stadium chief executive Mike McKenna explained the AFL would still require Cricket Australia approval to play games at its 60,000-seat ground should the ICC cancel the World Cup.
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“Contractually, cricket has access to the venue from the beginning of October. Even if they’re not playing, we still have to get their permission to stage other events,” McKenna said.
“While you can get a concert on and get it off and have it prepared for cricket again, they still want to make sure they’re involved in that so you don’t end up with a Test wicket or an outfield that’s been smashed.
“Same thing will apply for AFL – it doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but it means there needs to be co-operation and an understanding between the sports and venues to make it happen.”
Cricket Australia boss Kevin Roberts has been in constant talks with the AFL and the sports have pledged to work together this year.
CA desperately wants both the World Cup and home Test summer against India to take place, preferably in front of packed grounds.
CA profited around $100 million from the 2015 ODI World Cup and Ashes series the previous summer, which bankrolled the next few years.
But the BCCI – which saved the 2009 IPL by playing it in South Africa – is adding to the snowballing pressure on the ICC to pull the plug.
The Federal Government also has no plans to unlock Australia’s borders, creating headaches as the ICC must fly in teams from 15 countries for the World Cup.
“It could go either way,” McKenna, a former CA powerbroker, said.
“Unlike a lot of other sports where it’s pretty clear when it comes to club versus country and contractually where people stand, cricket is a bit different.
“The BCCI are prioritising their IPL, which is very valuable, and there’s a lot of players around the country who would be participating in that.
“There’s also another T20 World Cup scheduled in India in 12 months. That’ll play into it too, but I wouldn’t want to guess which way it’ll go at this stage.”
The IPL was set to pay Pat Cummins ($3.2 million), Steve Smith, David Warner (both $2.4 million), Glenn Maxwell ($2.2 million) and Nathan Coulter-Nile ($1.6 million) in 2020, almost certainly more than their CA or state contracts.
McKenna said Perth would either receive a Test against India, which would be played at Optus, or a Test against Afghanistan, which the Western Australian Cricket Association could decide to play at the WACA Ground.
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