Ashes Test Ends in Two Days; Cricket Australia Suffers Major Financial Loss

SYDNEY: Despite Australia’s victory in the first Ashes Test and Travis Head’s explosive century, Cricket Australia has suffered a significant financial setback.

Head’s aggressive hundred led to the match finishing on the second day, making it the first Ashes Test since 1921 to conclude within two days, according to Australian media.

Because of the early finish, Cricket Australia now has to refund tickets for the third and fourth days. Tickets for the fifth day are sold only on the same day, so no refund was required. The early finish is estimated to have cost Cricket Australia AUD 2 million, while some media reports claim the total loss could be as high as AUD 3 million.

Read more: Ashes Series: First Test Ends on Day Two as Australia Beat England by 8 Wickets

Broadcasters are reportedly facing even heavier losses, while England supporters—known as the Barmy Army—were left disappointed and began planning an early return home.

Over 101,514 spectators attended the Perth Test across the two days, with the third day having been sold out before the match ended early. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg expressed concern over the rapid finish.

This setback comes on the heels of losses suffered during the recent Australia–India blockbuster series, with Cricket Australia disclosing an AUD 11.3 million annual deficit in its financial report.