How the West was done
Adelaide was handed the right to host a Test match against India in 2014-15 after Western Australian government officials opted to not bid for the cricket event, it has been revealed.
The decision by WA’s Eventscorp left Brisbane and Adelaide as the only cities interested in hosting the remaining two Tests in the four-match series.
A special investigation by InDaily reveals, however, that WA’s decision to back out was based on a belief that state governments would have to put “money on the table” to convince Cricket Australia it should host a match.
In mid-September this year joint announcements by the South Australian Government and Cricket Australia confirmed the allocation of venues.
“Cricket Australia (CA) has tonight confirmed its decision that, subject to the resolution of certain conditions, Adelaide and Brisbane will join Melbourne and Sydney as the four cities that will host Test matches in the 2014-15 international season,” the sport’s governing body said.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland said: “Unfortunately due to the unique nature of the schedule next season, with a World Cup year, there was going to be a couple of States disappointed about our Test match allocation.
“This was certainly one of the more difficult programming issues that Cricket Australia has faced and all the pros and cons of each option were weighed up very carefully before making our decision.
“All have strong claims for hosting a Test and many factors were taken into consideration, including the allocation of 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup matches, but on this occasion the Adelaide Oval and the Gabba were considered to have the strongest claims.”
SA Sports Minister Leon Bignell took a similar view – that SA had “won” the bid.
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On September 12 Bignell said he and the Premier Jay Weatherill had lobbied Cricket Australia over the past months to ensure Adelaide Oval did not miss out on hosting one of four coveted Test matches.
“The Premier and I both urged the board to recognise South Australians longstanding commitment to cricket and to grant us one of the four coveted Tests.”
Over in WA, tourism officials had long-before decided to give the Australia-India series a miss.
WA Eventscorp’s executive officer Gwyn Dolphin told a parliamentary Budget Estimates Committee last week they did not put in a bid.
“Did we put in a bid?” he was asked.
“No we did not,” Dolphin replied.
“Because we did not judge it to be value for money because there was no official tender, there was no level playing field and because the state had already made a significant investment in cricket for 2015 with the Cricket World Cup and up to four other one-day matches in that period—up to seven one day matches in that time.”
Dolphin then revealed that his organisation had come to the view that the “value for money” judgment was based on an understanding that cricket officials wanted to engage in a bidding war.
WA Liberal MP Peter Katsambaris asked Dolphin: “Can I just clarify that with this particular issue, are you suggesting through your answer that Cricket Australia, sought some financial contribution either in cash or in kind from state governments—plural—in order for these two test matches that have ended up being awarded between three venues, to be so awarded?”
Dolphin said they had: “Yes. They were looking for a consideration of financial contribution without putting an amount on it; they were looking for consideration on the table.”
“You did an assessment of what that would be worth to WA and determined that it was not worth proceeding?” he was asked.
“Yes,” he replied.
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When InDaily asked South Australian officials and Cricket Australia for details of the “financial contribution”, a different picture emerged.
“There were no inducements, financial or otherwise,” Tourism Minister Leon Bignell’s office said.
“Rather we just made the case that our $535 million investment in the Oval, along with our solid attendances, warranted us getting the game.”
Cricket Australia took the same view.
“There was no official or unofficial bidding/tender process in the allocation of Test matches for the 2014/15 series against India,” it said in a statement to InDaily.
“Cricket Australia contacted each State Association and, where appropriate, the Test venue to outline the considerations in making a decision.
“Cricket Australia did not seek any consideration or payment from any party to secure a Test match.
“The pros and cons of each option were weighed up very carefully before the Board made its decision, using the same criteria that have been used in past years when allocating content.”
When asked if any financial commitments had been made by South Australia , the sport’s governing body was unequivocal.
“The South Australian Government has made no commitment to secure the 2014/15 Test match.
“It is important to note the very significant contribution made by the South Australian Government to the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval.
“That the first Test to be played on the fully redeveloped Adelaide Oval will be the 2014/15 Test was an important factor on the allocation of the match.”
Cricket officials will, however, still look for some contribution.
“We will be in contact with the South Australian Government soon regarding potential investment in assets associated with the Test match. These assets include a range of signage and promotional opportunities.”
In September WA’s cricket body said it was disappointed with Cricket Australia’s decision.
As it’s now been revealed, WA was not even in the game.
“The WACA is extremely disappointed in this decision,” WACA Chief Executive Christina Matthews said last month.
“The fans in WA have consistently supported Test cricket at the WACA and we are devastated that thousands of loyal cricket fans will not be able to see the Test match live against India.”
Next time they might want to put in an actual bid.
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