Cricket Australia is in talks with men’s head coach Andrew McDonald regarding a contract extension beyond the 2027 ODI World Cup, as the governing body aims to maintain continuity while preparing for a new generation of players, Cricinfo reported.
McDonald’s existing contract runs until the conclusion of the 2027 ODI World Cup, where Australia will defend its title. Appointed permanently in April 2022, he has overseen a successful period including Australia’s victories in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship the same year.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg confirmed the discussions, emphasising the importance of planning for the transition of an ageing Australian squad. “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,” Greenberg said, according to Cricinfo. “I think he’s done an outstanding job, and I think his results tell you that.”
Greenberg added that the board was considering the team’s long-term direction. “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,” he said. “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.”
Outgoing Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird praised McDonald and chair of selectors George Bailey for their work with the Australian men’s team, describing the governing body as fortunate to have them working together. McDonald assumed his role in April 2022, while Bailey has led selection since August 2021. Their tenure has coincided with international success, although Australia faces a crucial Test match in Cape Town against South Africa.
Separately, Cricket Australia is continuing talks with state associations regarding the potential privatisation of Big Bash League franchises. Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia are actively considering their options. The sale process for the Melbourne Renegades is advancing, with further decisions on private investment expected within six to eight weeks.
“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, according to Cricinfo. “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.”
The developments coincided with former New South Wales premier Mike Baird formally handing over the Cricket Australia chairmanship to former Australia Test opener David Boon at the annual general meeting on Wednesday. Baird had announced his departure last month after his state association declined to support his privatisation proposal.
Cricket Australia also reported a net profit of AU$81.8 million for the 2025-26 season, recovering from losses over the previous two years. The home Ashes series and white-ball series against India contributed to strengthening its financial position. However, Greenberg said two-day Tests in Perth and Melbourne resulted in an AU$20 million revenue loss and warned of significant financial challenges over the next two years due to 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.