Deckchairs Overboard: cricket bracing itself as NSW stands in opposition to BBL sale backed by CA chair and its representative on the CA board

PL on the potential fall out from the sale of the BBL

A moment of truth is at hand for Australian cricket.

The state boards had been given until Wednesday to make a call on whether they wanted to partially privatise the Big Bash League franchises. It has been described as the biggest decision in the history of Australian cricket. And, while the potential sale has been argued for and against with some vigour, things have remained essentially civil until now.

Some, however, are bracing themselves for significant fallout should the sale go ahead.

A similar undertaking in New Zealand resulted in a bitter fight and the resignation of a chief executive officer. There’s potential for similar, if not worse, in the Australian scenario with Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird pitted against the NSW board chaired by John Knox.

Baird and chief executive Todd Greenburg have pushed for the sale.

NSW, Knox and the chief executive Lee Germon are rock solid in their opposition and have pushed vigorously for other options.

While it is not unusual for states to be at loggerheads with head office, the complication for Baird is that he serves essentially at the discretion of Cricket NSW and presumably only remains on the board while he has that backing.