CA CEO sees an opening for BBL derby matches on Xmas Day

Speaking to the Macquarie Radio Summer of Cricket team before day three of the Australia-West Indies Test match at the MCG, Sutherland said Cricket Australia is ‘delighted’ with how this BBL season has started with big TV ratings and crowds attending matches so far.

But Sutherland has ruled out increasing the number of teams from eight – and also the possibility of a New Zealand team joining the competition.

‘The strategy behind the Big Bash League is bringing new people to the game’ Sutherland said.

‘We’re absolutely dedicated to kids, females and families being our target audience and then graduate their interest into international cricket.’

‘We see demand as a good thing.  It will be a big decision to expand the number of teams so my gut feel at the moment is more games to start with.’

Sutherland said if matches are to be played on Christmas Day next summer it would likely be either a derby between the Melbourne or Sydney teams.

With Australia cruising towards another crushing Test victory over the West Indies, Sutherland admitted the tourists had performed ‘below expectations’ this summer.

Next summer’s Test series will feature South Africa and Pakistan and Sutherland said both countries are interested in featuring in a day-night Test with discussions continuing with their respective boards.

He revealed Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahryar Khan attended the first day of the historic day-night Test against New Zealand in Adelaide last month and was ‘very impressed’ with the spectacle.