McDonald in discussions with Cricket Australia regarding contract extension

The Cricket Australia (CA) bosses are in discussions with men's head coach Andrew McDonald about a potential contract extension beyond the end of his current deal, which runs to the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup late next year where Australia will defend their title.

Outgoing CA chair Mike Baird said the game "was lucky to have" both McDonald and chair of selectors George Bailey working together, adding that they had done "a remarkable job".

McDonald has held his position in a permanent capacity since early April 2022 while Bailey has been in his job since August 2021 with the men's team having enjoyed sustained success including the 2023 ODI World Cup and World Test Championship double.

Their No. 1 Test ranking is on the line in the deciding match against South Africa in Cape Town, with that series part of an extensive period in the format which will determine the legacy of an ageing side. The coaching staff are being tasked with managing the transition to a new era, but CA executives have a close eye on the process.

"Yes, we are talking to Andrew about his contractual status and what that means going forward. He's held in incredibly high regard by the Cricket Australia board and by all of us," CA chief executive Todd Greenberg said. "I think he's done an outstanding job, and I think his results tell you that.

"But in saying that, there's also an eye of what's coming next, and there's, no doubt, that there'll be a transition of this team, and we want to make sure that we can have oversight of that so that we protect and thrive into the next phase, whoever that might be.

"We are in deep conversations about how this team will look and operate over the next six, 12, 18, 24 months. You know, we're in a generation of some of the best players that have ever played, so we're in a very fortunate position. But we have an eye on what that looks like after they finish their playing days. We don't know when that will be but, of course, we've got to have an eye on what the transition looks like."

BBL privatisation update

CA believes two further states could soon vote for BBL privatisation, despite deep divisions in the sport about private investment.

Baird formally handed over to former Test opener David Boon at Wednesday's annual general meeting, having announced a month ago that he would leave the role. The former NSW premier quit after his state association refused to back him over privatisation.

Ed Cowan, also an ex-Test opener, replaced Baird as the NSW representative on the board. After the AGM, Baird praised Cowan and said he would offer plenty to CA.

The process of selling Melbourne Renegades continues to advance with Greenberg telling reporters on Wednesday that Tasmania and Western Australia might also take the call on privatisation.

"We're still working our way through that, but my guess is at the moment that certainly Victoria's second team and Tasmania are particularly weighing up what that looks like," Greenberg said. "They're heavily engaged and clearly we've been very open to talking to WA as well. I can't be definitive on which teams, because ultimately it's a decision for those states and their clubs.

"But those are the three states that are actively engaged in the process and will likely make some decisions... over the next six to eight weeks."

"It is an important part of the summer. Can we say that's going to be the same position forever? Well, that may be for future generations to decide. In terms of the importance of that right now, it's significant to broadcasters and us"

Mike Baird on the Boxing Day and New Year Tests

Baird also doubted any short-term fixture change to the Melbourne (Boxing Day) and Sydney (New Year) Tests.

"The future of that is entirely in our hands and from a broadcast point of view, they love the Big Bash following [the Tests]," he said. "It [the Melbourne and Sydney Tests] is an important part of the summer. Can we say that's going to be the same position forever? Well, that may be for future generations to decide. In terms of the importance of that right now, it's significant to broadcasters and us."

Boon is interim chairman, with a decision expected soon on who takes over the role full-time. Baird said he would be pleased if that was Boon, a popular figure in the sport. "If it was up to me, I would say 'go' - obviously you have to run a process," Baird said of the CA board's call.

Greenberg had said previously that the chairman role was difficult to fill: "We're looking for a unicorn. And they're not dropping out of the trees in order to serve Australian cricket."

Strong financial year but losses ahead

After losses over the previous two years, CA reported a net profit of AU$81.8 million for the 2025-26 season. Its balance sheet was boosted by the home Ashes series and the white-ball series against India.

Greenberg confirmed the fallout from the two-day Tests in Perth and Melbourne cost CA AU$20 million in lost revenue. He also warned of "significant" financial losses over the next two years because of international scheduling and a cyclical decline in media revenue.

"A lot of the capacity we've been able to generate this year will hold us in good stead for the next two years," he said.