'Train wreck' - Channel 7 launches attack on Cricket Australia, threatens to terminate contract

The boss of Australia's Channel 7 said on Friday that the broadcaster may terminate its contract with Cricket Australia (CA) over its handling of the summer schedule, according to comments published in the Daily Telegraph.

"It's a train wreck," James Warburton was quoted as saying, amid concerns the popular Big Bash League might be a diluted competition without international players due to Covid-19-related restrictions. "We are forced to consider all our options including terminating the contract and we have put them on notice.

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"This is not an acceptable product and we will not support the season. Cricket Australia have an obligation to deliver a competition of no lesser standard than the past."

CA said it was disappointed with Warburton's comments and would deliver a "full and compelling summer of cricket". In a statement, CA said, "Cricket Australia greatly values the relationship with our broadcast partners."

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Channel 7 is in the second year of a record five-year rights deal with pay TV provider Foxtel.

CA has pencilled in four Test matches with India, a one-off Test against Afghanistan, and dates for the men's and women's Big Bash tournaments. But the schedule has yet to be confirmed with a backdrop of travel restrictions and closed state borders.

Warburton's comments came two days after he told an investor call that he was frustrated with a lack of clarity from CA.

CA has endured a year of upheaval, with former CEO Kevin Roberts and a slew of executives departing after the governing body was criticised by member states and players for its handling of the Covid-19 shutdown.

Warburton said CA was wrong to sack Roberts and had no full-time CEO "at a time when the sport needs strong leadership to steer through these extraordinary times". "There is an obligation to deliver the best quality to the broadcasters," he said.