Controversy over bringing the Ashes to India, former England captain slams Australia
Cricket legend and former England captain Michael Atherton has launched a scathing attack on Cricket Australia following controversial proposals to host iconic matches and domestic league fixtures on foreign soil, including India. Atherton expressed deep frustration over the growing commercialization of traditional cricket rivalries and domestic tournaments. His sharp critique follows recent announcements by Cricket Australia regarding plans to take the opening match of the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) to Chennai, alongside speculative discussions about hosting a future Ashes Test match outside of England and Australia.
BBL Opening Match in Chennai Sparks Outrage
The controversy intensified after Cricket Australia confirmed that the opening fixture of the upcoming Big Bash League season will be played on December 12 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, featuring a clash between the Melbourne Renegades and the Perth Scorchers. This historic move marks the very first time a major domestic T20 league match will take place outside its home country. Writing in his column for The Times, Michael Atherton strongly condemned the decision, labeling it as absolute madness and an direct insult to local Australian fans who support the tournament week in and week out. He argued that while cricket has embraced modern innovations, domestic competitions held on home soil should remain sacred and untouched by commercial overreach.
Defending the Sanctity of the Historic Ashes Rivalry
Atherton also took fierce exception to remarks made earlier by Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg, who hinted that future Ashes series matches between England and Australia could potentially be considered for hosting in India to maximize commercial revenue. Dismissing the idea entirely, Atherton stressed that the traditional Test series between England and Australia belongs exclusively to the historic Ashes heritage, played across five Tests every two years on each other's home soil. He emphasized that the century-old rivalry does not need artificial commercial expansion. Instead of chasing endless revenues by flooding international schedules with content, Atherton advised cricket administrators to focus on trimming the heavily bloated operational and cost bases of the sport.
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