Indoor cricket cut as CA tighten purse strings

Cricket Australia (CA) has conceded it has an "unsustainable" cost base, after cutting operational and financial support for indoor cricket and leaving the sport to manage itself.

CA told indoor cricket officials around the country this week it would no longer support the sport after a handover period, in the latest round of cost cutting from head office.

CA only took over the running of indoor cricket in 2009, acquiring the sport's participation numbers at the same time.

As of last year, that figure stood at close to 100,000 with potential players pointed towards the sport.

However CA insisted this week that the decision was due to its own cost-cutting measures and the need to free up operational resources.

In a letter sent to the heads of indoor cricket in each state and obtained by AAP, the organisation conceded it needed to make changes.

"Cricket Australia has been reviewing its cost base, which is currently unsustainable," the email read.

"We have already made some difficult decisions involving people changes.

"And now need to ensure our limited resources are focused on Australian Cricket's most critical strategic priorities in the most effective and efficient way.

"As part of this, Cricket Australia is no longer able to continue its current commitment to indoor cricket."

Included in the cuts are funding of national championships, Australian teams and all indoor cricket operations.

The decision comes with CA expected to post a loss of close to $11 million for the 2024-25 financial year.

CA chief executive Todd Greenberg last weekend launched a new initiative aimed at driving up playing numbers, in the form of the six-a-side Smash Series Cricket.

In it, players bat in pairs for three overs each, and continue batting even after being out. Crucially, it is seen as attractive to young players.

Indoor cricket follows a similar approach, with pairs batting for four overs and matches lasting around 80 minutes.

Indoor cricket experienced a peak through the 1980s and early 1990s, where centres were commonplace around the country.

The likes of Steve and Mark Waugh represented NSW in the sport growing up, while Steve Smith, Jhye Richardson, Josh Phillippe and Jake Fraser McGurk are among current graduates.

Heather Graham, Sarah Coyte and Amanda-Jade Wellington headline a long list of WBBL players to have played the sport at state level.

But the game has endured a difficult run out of the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating centre closures around the country.

CA has promised indoor cricket leaders it will assist in setting up new governance, including the establishment of a steering committee.

"We respect the contribution indoor cricket makes to the game and have established an advisory committee to ensure the long term vision and sustainability of indoor cricket are maintained," a spokesperson said.