New South Wales nixes Big Bash privatisation plan, Queensland defers

MELBOURNE, April 15 : Cricket Australia's (CA) hopes of opening the Big Bash League (BBL) to private investment have hit a major roadblock after New South Wales rejected a plan to sell stakes in the nation's T20 franchises and Queensland deferred its decision.

CA set Wednesday as a deadline for the nation's six member states to indicate their support to sell 49 per cent stakes in most BBL teams and 100 per cent of one team each in Victoria and New South Wales.

But Cricket New South Wales Chief Executive Lee Germon said the state governing body had sent a counter-proposal to CA and other member states which involved self-funding mechanisms.

"Our position is unchanged from ... a few weeks ago," the former New Zealand test captain told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

"We still do not believe that the sale of the BBL clubs is the right approach here.

"We are in fierce agreement with Cricket Australia that we need to invest in the BBL, we need to grow the BBL, we need our best players playing in the BBL and in a window that allows that."

New South Wales hosts two BBL teams, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.

MAJOR BLOW

Queensland Cricket, which hosts Brisbane Heat, said on Wednesday it had made no final decision following a board meeting and would seek further information from CA.

The other four member states - Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia - are seen as broadly supportive of private investment but the lack of consensus is a major blow for CA.

"We ... remain open to discussing any questions or concerns about this model," CA boss Todd Greenberg said in a statement.

"This process remains respectful and collaborative and with the best interests of Australian cricket the key consideration of all involved."

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