Cricket Australia’s board will gather in Melbourne on Thursday "for what may be one of the most important board meetings in the recent history of the game," according to Peter Lalor of THE AUSTRALIAN. At issue "is the future direction of the organisation, cricket and player relations." The crisis "sparked by five straight Test and ODI losses has had some of the sting taken out of it by a win in the last Test against South Africa and success against the Kiwis in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series." However, it "would be foolish to think that all was right with the world." Team performance will be "a significant item" on the board’s agenda, with High Performance Manager Pat Howard called before the eight directors to explain how the almost A$120M ($90M) spent on high performance "since the Argus review has resulted in such a poor return." Howard admits "he will be under scrutiny." CA CEO James Sutherland is "another whose role in navigating towards the rocks is of interest." The other "pressing issue on the agenda" is the next Memorandum of Understanding between the players and CA. Under the accepted arrangements, the players receive a percentage share (about 25%) of "certain revenue streams and are paid from that pie." In the new four-year deal, women players "will be included for the first time" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/8).
CHRISTMAS DAY MATCH: In Melbourne, Sam Landsberger reported CA has established "Project Jingle Bash" -- a working party designed to "fast-track plans for a historic Christmas Day Twenty20 blockbuster." The governing body said that it is "ready to discuss its findings with the players’ union, fans and venues after gathering momentum for a Big Bash League fixture." But it will not be at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the Melbourne Stars’ home ground "unavailable for BBL games in December due to the Boxing Day Test." Melbourne Renegades said that the team would "formalise a position on playing Christmas Day once CA's plans were clearer." A twilight or night slot "would be favoured." Supporters will be "canvassed on their views this summer." BBL League Manager Anthony Everard said that Christmas Day offered franchises the chance to "quickly own a piece of the summer calendar" and the league was “open minded” on which city would work best. Everard: "It's pretty exciting actually. The more we look into it, it could be a fantastic day." Project Jingle Bash -- comprised of CA marketing, scheduling and strategy experts -- "contacted the NBA this year for key lessons on its Christmas Day success" (HERALD SUN, 12/7).
