D-Day for Australian cricket as massive BBL call goes down to the wire

April 14, 2026 — 6:38pm

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In the high-stakes poker game being played in Australian cricket around selling off a portion of the Big Bash League to overseas investors, one of the biggest chips is Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird himself.

Since stepping into the job in early 2023, former NSW premier Baird has been an unabashed advocate for private investment in Australian cricket, and it was among the first things on his agenda from the moment he was confirmed to be taking the role.

Wednesday is deadline day for states to tell CA whether they wish to proceed with valuations of the BBL clubs. On Tuesday, Baird’s home state of NSW was expected to be opposed to selling, while Queensland Cricket was weighing up their options at a scheduled board meeting.

At least four states – Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania – are expected to respond in the affirmative.

The power play over CA’s push to sell off stakes in BBL teams, which would amount to the biggest upheaval in Australian cricket since Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket revolution, goes all the way to the top.

Sell off the BBL, or sell out to sports betting: Cricket’s huge call

Before he joined CA, Baird sat........

© The Sydney Morning Herald