Mitchell Johnson accuses Cricket Australia CEO of destroying Test cricket with pathetic vision

Former fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has slammed Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg’s comments on the future of Test cricket. Johnson stated that limiting Test cricket to a select few nations would harm the game and added that smaller cricketing nations should be supported to grow the sport.

The ICC recently formed a working group, led by former Kiwi batter Roger Twose, to explore the future of Test cricket and improvements to the WTC. A two-tier Test system was a major discussion point at the July annual conference. The two-tier idea has been under consideration for over 15 years.

We’re Literally Trying to Send Countries Bankrupt - Todd Greenberg

Todd Greenberg recently stated that expanding the number of Test-playing nations is not practical. Speaking to the BBC, he emphasized that Test cricket should focus on series like the Ashes. Greenberg added that forcing all countries to participate in Test cricket could bankrupt them.

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“I don’t think everyone in world cricket needs to aspire to play test cricket, and that might be Ok. We’re literally trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to try to play test cricket. Scarcity in Test cricket is our friend, not our foe,” Greenberg had said.

“We need to make sure we invest in the right spaces to play Test cricket where it means something and has jeopardy. That’s why the Ashes will be as enormous and profitable as it is — because it means something,” he added.

The Solution to Saving Test Cricket Isn’t to Scale It Down - Mitchell Johnson

In his column for The West Australian, Mitchell Johnson stated that Test cricket can be sustained by supporting emerging cricketing nations. He added that players and fans in smaller cricketing countries remain passionate about the format, even without lucrative TV deals.

“Here’s the thing — if that’s the fear, then we’ve already missed the point. The solution to saving Test cricket isn’t to scale it down to three or four rich countries. It’s to lift the rest up. Help them. Grow the game. Back them," Mitchell Johnson wrote.

"This is where real leadership starts — not by pulling up the ladder, but by building a stronger base. Because let’s be clear: these nations want to play Test cricket. The players want it. The fans want it. So why are we making it so hard? I’ve been to countries where cricket isn’t backed by billion-dollar TV deals — but the passion is still there," he added.

I Don’t Have All the Answers - Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson warned against overplaying the “Big Three” in the cricket calendar. The former fast bowler acknowledged that he doesn’t have all the solutions but shared his views from an ex-player’s perspective.

“I don’t have all the answers, that’s not in my pay grade, but I can say from an ex-player’s point of view that we need as many countries playing Test cricket as possible. If it wasn’t for Test cricket and its initial financial support, we don’t see Twenty20 cricket like it is today."

The 2025-26 Ashes series is set to begin in Australia on November 21 in Perth. England and India recently drew their Test series 2-2.

Meanwhile, Australia defeated the West Indies in a 3-0 series sweep. New Zealand also recorded wins over Zimbabwe. The Black Caps beat the home side by an innings and 359 runs in the second Test.

Also read: Asia Cup 2025- Shreyas Iyer's case pushed at the last minute in the India Squad