"There was some misreporting" - CA chief Nick Hockley on reports about 'Big 3' ignoring proposals to save Test cricket

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has rubbished reports suggesting that India, England, as well as Australia (collectively known as the big three of cricket), did not give much importance to a draft presented to the International Cricket Council to save Test cricket.

A recent report from Australian news outlet Sydney Morning Herald stated that the draft was compiled by New Zealand Cricket chairman Martin Snedden. In his draft, he proposed an overhaul of the future tours program (FTP) in order to save red-ball cricket. The report further added that India, Australia, and England were dismissive of the document, a claim that has been rejected by Nick Hockley.

Speaking to SEN Cricket, he called the report ‘misreporting’ before saying that the boards are currently involved in a discussion to optimize the FTP. He also insisted that the focus of the cricket boards is to work for the growth of the game.

“Categorically, I think there was some misreporting around that. Certainly, the discussions I’m in at the moment are very much thinking about how we can optimise the calendar and how we can continue to grow cricket around the world,” Nick Hockely told SEN Cricket.

Nick Hockley on meeting with Snedden:

Snedden has suggested a number of changes in his draft. Some of the proposals include separate windows for T20 leagues apart from the IPL, a change in the point system of the World Test Championship as well as reducing the ODIs to 40-over affairs.

Nick Hockley recently met Snedden in Wellington where New Zealand and Australia are currently involved in the first Test of the two-match series. Sharing the details of the meeting, Nick Hockley said the cricket boards are very working on the suggestions.

“We had a great catch-up with Martin (Snedden) here yesterday (Friday in Wellington),” Nick Hockley said.

“We’re very much involved with that piece of work. I think at Cricket Australia we’ve got good influence and I think we’ve got a really important role to play around the ICC in terms of driving strategy.

“I think that Cricket Australia has been behind many of the developments. Whether that’s the introduction of the World Test Championship. I’m on the FTP working group with the ICC, and making sure that we’re keeping all three formats healthy and strong, that we’re growing the game in all territories,” he added.

Talking about the ongoing Test between New Zealand and Australia, the visitors have set the hosts a target of 369 runs. In reply, New Zealand ended the day on 111 for 3 with Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell unbeaten on 56 and 12 respectively. Earlier in the game, Australia scored 383 runs before bowling out New Zealand for 179 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, the tourists were bowled out for 164.