Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
The Ashes Day 2 LIVE on SN ExtraPerth or Brisbane: Where should the Test summer start?
SEN • November 22nd, 2025 5:22 pm
Has Australian cricket conceded one of its great historic advantages by abandoning the Gabba to open the start of a Test summer?
That was the question posed by Gerard Whateley to Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg after the 2025/26 Ashes began in Perth on Friday.
Australia haven’t lost any of their opening Tests at the Gabba since 1988, with their only defeats at the venue coming in Brisbane fixtures in January to close a series.
After the Aussies struggled on Day 1, combined with last year’s series-opening loss to India in Perth, Whateley couldn’t help but wonder if Optus Stadium was the right place to begin if Australia want to get off on the right foot.
Greenberg says it all depends on what lens you’re looking through.
“It depends on how you look at it. We have to balance professional performance on the field with the commercial reality off the field and try to thread the needle. I think we've done that,” Greenberg told SEN Cricket.
“Does the Gabba genuinely give us an advantage? I'm not sure, particularly with the pace attacks of both these teams, I'm not sure if it is an advantage.
“The reality is we start this season on broadcast in prime time with a Perth Test, and then we go into a pink ball Test in Brisbane, which will also be prime time.
“For us, it's about getting as many boys, girls and people all over the country to watch cricket. That's what's happening.”
As things stand, the Australian Test summer will begin in Perth for one more season in 2026/27 before the governing body will again negotiate with state governments.
With both Queensland and WA wanting the first Test long-term, Greenberg says he’ll continue to make the decision that most benefits Australian cricket.
“I understand why the team would want certain things and the team would understand why I would need certain things,” Greenberg said.
“Ultimately, it's my job then to thread the needle and make a decision that I think's best for Australian cricket, which is what we've done here.
“(For the next Ashes), the conversation we need to have with both Queensland Government and Western Australian Government.
“I've spent some time with the Premier and the Deputy Premier here, as you would imagine, they're pretty happy to have the first Test here, but equally, I know the Queensland Premier's been talking at length about wanting it as well.
“It’s nice to be wanted, so we're going to have choice, and there's a commercial reality to get the best deal for the sport, but there's also a performance reality.
“We're going to try to figure out the middle ground on that, and that won't appease everybody, but if I was in the job of looking to make friends, this is not the job.
“You have to make what you think is the right decision for cricket.”
Greenberg also touched on Usman Khawaja's back spasms on Day 1 after it came to light that the opener played golf the day prior with other Aussie touring team members.
He doesn't think the round played any part in the injury, with the veteran knowing exactly how to prepare for Tests with 84 of them under his belt already.
“It’s held him in good stead over the last couple of years,” Greenberg said in regards to Khawaja's preparation.
“It’s not uncommon for a lot of them to play golf the day prior. A lot of them will talk about cricket being played between the ears, and so getting some time away from your hotel or training is really important.
“I noticed Mitchell Starc played golf with him, so it certainly didn’t affect his performance.
“Did that correlate to any of the issues, I personally don’t think so. I know Usman’s a very seasoned campaigner, he knows his body well and he knows how to get himself prepared for cricket, and he’s done it over a long period of time. So I think that’s drawing a long bow.”
Listen to Greenberg’s full chat with Gerard Whateley here.
