Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Nick Hockley has urged his men to focus on the on-field matters as his side gets ready for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan. Australian cricket has been in the spotlight for the recent off-field spat between former speedster Mitchell Johnson and star opener David Warner. Both have been exchanging words before the start of the Pakistan series in regards to Warner’s Test retirement plans for which Johnson criticised the board as he regards the former as a controversial figure due to the sandpaper-gate saga in 2018.

<h2>Nick Hockley calls for on-field focus</h2>

"A fair amount has been said, and everyone's entitled to their own opinions. I think what you've seen over this year and the last two years is the current men's team in all formats playing in great spirit. The success of the World Cup is being hailed as arguably the greatest World Cup victory out of the six to beat India in India. I know that this team really wants to do its talking on the pitch," Hockley told the reporters on Wednesday.

Despite a poor run of form in the red-ball format, Australian selectors opted to pick Warner in the Test series against Pakistan with the left-hand batter likely to announce his retirement. To treat the batter with a fitting send-off, CA named him in the 14-man squad for the first Test and will likely retain his place for the third Test in Sydney. The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) also happens to be the home ground of Warner and is likely to get a fitting reception.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/explained-how-team-india-has-problems-aplenty-for-2024-t20-world-cup-669246">Explained: How Team India has problems aplenty for 2024 T20 World Cup</a>

However, embroiled in controversies in the past, former pacer Johnson believes Warner should not have been guaranteed a place in the team due to poor form. He also believes Warner does not deserve a good farewell provided he was the epicentre in the 2018 sandpaper-gate saga in South Africa.

Australia will look to continue their impressive start to the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle having retained the Ashes with a 2-2 draw. Pat Cummins and Co have named a strong squad for the opening contest in Perth as they look to stamp their authority on the three-match series. The opening contest will start on Thursday while the second match will take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day with the final match taking place from 3 January 2024 at the SCG.

Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Nick Hockley has urged his men to focus on the on-field matters as his side gets ready for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan.

Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Nick Hockley has urged his men to focus on the on-field matters as his side gets ready for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan. Australian cricket has been in the spotlight for the recent off-field spat between former speedster Mitchell Johnson and star opener David Warner. Both have been exchanging words before the start of the Pakistan series in regards to Warner’s Test retirement plans for which Johnson criticised the board as he regards the former as a controversial figure due to the sandpaper-gate saga in 2018. Nick Hockley calls for on-field focus "A fair amount has been said, and everyone's entitled to their own opinions. I think what you've seen over this year and the last two years is the current men's team in all formats playing in great spirit. The success of the World Cup is being hailed as arguably the greatest World Cup victory out of the six to beat India in India. I know that this team really wants to do its talking on the pitch," Hockley told the reporters on Wednesday. Despite a poor run of form in the red-ball format, Australian selectors opted to pick Warner in the Test series against Pakistan with the left-hand batter likely to announce his retirement. To treat the batter with a fitting send-off, CA named him in the 14-man squad for the first Test and will likely retain his place for the third Test in Sydney. The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) also happens to be the home ground of Warner and is likely to get a fitting reception. ALSO READ | Explained: How Team India has problems aplenty for 2024 T20 World Cup However, embroiled in controversies in the past, former pacer Johnson believes Warner should not have been guaranteed a place in the team due to poor form. He also believes Warner does not deserve a good farewell provided he was the epicentre in the 2018 sandpaper-gate saga in South Africa. Australia will look to continue their impressive start to the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle having retained the Ashes with a 2-2 draw. Pat Cummins and Co have named a strong squad for the opening contest in Perth as they look to stamp their authority on the three-match series. The opening contest will start on Thursday while the second match will take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Boxing Day with the final match taking place from 3 January 2024 at the SCG.

Warner vs Johnson: CA CEO urges Pat Cummins' men to do talking on pitch despite off-field drama

Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts has said that the chances of T20 World Cup being played in October-November was under “very high risk” due to COVID-19 pandemic while adding in case the showpiece event gets postponed, there are potential windows in February-March or October-November, 2021.&nbsp;

“Obviously, we’ve been hopeful all along that it could be staged in October-November but you would have to say there is a very high risk about the prospect of that happening,” Roberts told reporters in a video call on Friday.&nbsp;

“In the event that doesn’t happen, there are potential windows in the February-March period, October-November the following year.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-board-meeting-all-agenda-items-including-fate-of-t20-world-cup-deferred-till-june-10-301638" hreflang="en">ICC Board Meeting: 'All agenda items' including fate of T20 World Cup deferred till June 10</a>

“And there are implications here for the ICC over a number of years. So there’s a lot of complexity for the ICC to deal with.”&nbsp;

On Thursday, in the all-important ICC Board meeting, the global cricket body deferred decisions over T20 World Cup until its next meet on June 10. The BCCI is also keeping a close eye on the development as it is set to host the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup and a postponement of the marquee event this year could open a window for IPL 2020.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-australia-announce-complete-fixtures-for-2020-21-home-season-to-host-india-west-indies-afghanistan-zimbabwe-and-new-zealand-301591" hreflang="en">Cricket Australia announce complete fixtures for 2020-21 home season; to host India, West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and New Zealand</a>

However, given that Cricket Australia on Thursday announced their home schedule for 2020-21 season, IPL 2020 in October-November could impact Aussies’ T20 series against West Indies (Oct 4-9) and India (Oct 11-17). “The question of the IPL will be addressed when a decision is made around the T20 World Cup, that’s the key influencing factor there,” he said. 
&nbsp;

Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts has said that the chances of T20 World Cup being played in October-November was under “very high risk” due to COVID-19 pandemic while adding in case the showpiece event gets postponed, there are potential windows in February-March or October-November, 2021.

Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts has said that the chances of T20 World Cup being played in October-November was under “very high risk” due to COVID-19 pandemic while adding in case the showpiece event gets postponed, there are potential windows in February-March or October-November, 2021. “Obviously, we’ve been hopeful all along that it could be staged in October-November but you would have to say there is a very high risk about the prospect of that happening,” Roberts told reporters in a video call on Friday. “In the event that doesn’t happen, there are potential windows in the February-March period, October-November the following year. ALSO READ: ICC Board Meeting: 'All agenda items' including fate of T20 World Cup deferred till June 10 “And there are implications here for the ICC over a number of years. So there’s a lot of complexity for the ICC to deal with.” On Thursday, in the all-important ICC Board meeting, the global cricket body deferred decisions over T20 World Cup until its next meet on June 10. The BCCI is also keeping a close eye on the development as it is set to host the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup and a postponement of the marquee event this year could open a window for IPL 2020. ALSO READ: Cricket Australia announce complete fixtures for 2020-21 home season; to host India, West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and New Zealand However, given that Cricket Australia on Thursday announced their home schedule for 2020-21 season, IPL 2020 in October-November could impact Aussies’ T20 series against West Indies (Oct 4-9) and India (Oct 11-17). “The question of the IPL will be addressed when a decision is made around the T20 World Cup, that’s the key influencing factor there,” he said.

T20 World Cup schedule under 'very high risk', admits Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts

Cricket Australia (CA) will push for up to two day-night Tests at next year&#39;s Ashes series despite the misgivings of captain Steven Smith and his England counterpart Alastair Cook. 
 
Both skippers said they felt the game&#39;s most enduring series could survive without being played under lights but CA CEO James Sutherland said he felt it was a &quot;natural progression&quot;. &quot;I respect the views of Steven and Alastair,&quot; he told reporters in Melbourne today. 
 
&quot;The Ashes is a great contest and will no doubt attract a huge audience both at the grounds and on television, but the facts of the matter are by playing day-night Tests, we&#39;re going to get even bigger audiences at the game and on television.&nbsp;The Ashes series is still a long way off and we want to get through this summer first but we will play somewhere between zero and two day-night Tests during the Ashes in 18 months&#39; time.&quot; 
 
Australia played the maiden day-night Test against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval last November and have just agreed another flood-lit match with South Africa at the same venue during the home summer. 
 
The hosts will also play their series-opener against Pakistan with the pink ball in Brisbane for the first time in December. 
 
Smith has backed day-night cricket repeatedly but said he did not feel it necessary for the Ashes, which reliably draws big crowds.&nbsp;&quot;I think it works pretty well with the red ball,&quot; he told media while on tour in the Caribbean.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s been around for years and I think playing against England we always get the viewers and the crowds out,&quot; added Smith. 
 
Cook echoed Smith&#39;s position. &quot;It&#39;s probably not a series where you need to do it exactly at this time,&quot; he said. 
 
England and Wales Cricket board chairman Colin Graves has also backed day-night cricket, saying it was only a matter of time that a match would be played in England.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland believes that day-night tests will draw bigger audiences to the game and on television

Cricket Australia (CA) will push for up to two day-night Tests at next year's Ashes series despite the misgivings of captain Steven Smith and his England counterpart Alastair Cook. Both skippers said they felt the game's most enduring series could survive without being played under lights but CA CEO James Sutherland said he felt it was a "natural progression". "I respect the views of Steven and Alastair," he told reporters in Melbourne today. "The Ashes is a great contest and will no doubt attract a huge audience both at the grounds and on television, but the facts of the matter are by playing day-night Tests, we're going to get even bigger audiences at the game and on television. The Ashes series is still a long way off and we want to get through this summer first but we will play somewhere between zero and two day-night Tests during the Ashes in 18 months' time." Australia played the maiden day-night Test against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval last November and have just agreed another flood-lit match with South Africa at the same venue during the home summer. The hosts will also play their series-opener against Pakistan with the pink ball in Brisbane for the first time in December. Smith has backed day-night cricket repeatedly but said he did not feel it necessary for the Ashes, which reliably draws big crowds. "I think it works pretty well with the red ball," he told media while on tour in the Caribbean. "It's been around for years and I think playing against England we always get the viewers and the crowds out," added Smith. Cook echoed Smith's position. "It's probably not a series where you need to do it exactly at this time," he said. England and Wales Cricket board chairman Colin Graves has also backed day-night cricket, saying it was only a matter of time that a match would be played in England.

Cricket Australia pushing for two day-night Ashes Tests

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Warner vs Johnson: CA CEO urges Pat Cummins' men to do talking on pitch despite off-field drama

T20 World Cup schedule under 'very high risk', admits Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts

Cricket Australia pushing for two day-night Ashes Tests