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SEN’s Matt White has slammed Cricket Australia’s (CA) constant fining of players who are caught swearing or making inappropriate comments whilst they are mic’d up during broadcasts.
Channel 7 and Fox Sports have complained to CA for handing fines to Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques and Sydney Thunder batter David Warner for swearing and making a joke about an umpire respectively whilst on air.
Warner received a $5000 fine whereas Henriques lost a demerit point in addition to a fine. Another demerit will result in a suspension for Henriques and at a crucial time in the season, and the Sixers will not allow Henriques to be mic’d up to eliminate the risk of a suspension.
White said that CA’s decision to fine players and alienate the broadcasters is the wrong decision that will have serious ramifications for the governing body.
“This is a complete head scratcher,” White said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“I understand why the broadcasters are worried about players being mic’d up if they are going to get fined.
“Why on Earth would CA take this action? I don’t give a rats if it’s part of their code of conduct.
“What planet are they (CA) living on?
“The broadcasters give them a lot of money and a lot of it. To take away that access to the fans is just dumb.
“It will come back to bite them and CA needs to wake up and get with the program.”
CA fining players for ‘hot mic’ incidents is not isolated to the Big Bash as Travis Head was docked 15 per cent of his match payment after the stump mic caught him swearing while batting during the first Ashes Test. Players have reportedly become reluctant to wear microphones during the game.
White said that anything can happen in live sport and after CA had done all the hard work to ensure a successful Big Bash season, it seems they are doing everything to ruin it.
“CA have been absolutely blessed this season because they finally got their heads around how to get the BBL back on track.
“It’s all about giving access and punters want more bang for their buck.
“If these guys in their headquarters in Jolimont think that it’s a smart idea to take that off the table, then they need to turn the lights on and start living in the real world.
“The broadcasters will one day say see you later and take their money with them.
“If they won't let them have that access, (CA) are kidding themselves.”
The BBL finals begin on Friday night with the Sydney Thunder hosting the Brisbane Heat at Sydney Showground.