- Furious because NRL is getting attention in the summer
- Blames a major mistake by television networks
- Want cricket to be the main topic of conversation again
Cricket commentator Kerry O'Keeffe has heard a lot of Aussies talking about rugby league in the heart of the cricket season and wants to see a bit of a change of partners to stamp it out.
While Australia have retained The Ashes, won the ODI World Cup and Test Championship and have a big summer of cricket ahead with Test series against Pakistan and the West Indies, NRL chat continues to dominate.
With International Cricket Council cricket events such as the World Cup and Champions Trophy switching exclusively to streaming until 2027, there will be even less of the sport on free-to-air networks.
O'Keeffe said more cricket must be made available to all Australians or he fears an already disenfranchised viewership could become even more jaded.
“I don't know much about streaming, all I know is that I want us as a nation to have more and more cricket available, deep down we have lost our love for it,” he shared. SEN.
He pointed out that footy codes like the NRL are making headlines at a time of year when cricket should be the only thing Australian sports fans care about.
“I don't want to talk about Addin Fonua-Blake in November, it's driving me crazy, please,” he said, referring to an ongoing news story about the NRL star.
Cricket commentator Kerry O'Keefe often leaves listeners in hysterics, but he's not amused when it comes to fans talking about footy in the cricket season
Crowd numbers have declined for Test matches played in Australia and there are no great hopes that this will improve against Pakistan and the West Indies this summer
O'Keeffe doesn't want to hear about the movements of NRL players during the cricket season, such as the current stories about wantaway New Zealand Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake (pictured)
“When I hear sports talk on other channels, it's early November and they're saying, 'Oh, I can't wait for the first round of the NRL,' please… give yourself an uppercut, what's going on,” continued O'Keeffe.
“If we lose our love for the game, it should be propagated by people in the media. It doesn't matter to me whether it's considered our national sport or not.'
“The countries that are emerging in cricket are the ones that are absolutely passionate about the game.
“India for starters, they are the juggernaut and we are talking about Addin Fonua-Blake and where he could go in 2027, will the Dragons please get the spoon? What does it matter in November, what does it matter in March? Come on.'
Australia are unlikely to make major selection calls for the first Test against Pakistan, meaning no home debut for paceman Lance Morris.
Australia has filled the trophy cabinet this year, but has not done a good job of filling the seats
The Pakistan series will be a career finale for David Warner, who will be looking to finish on a high note at his home ground, the SCG
While Morris impressed Andrew McDonald during Sunday's training session on the WACA pitch, the coach predicted a predictable XI for Thursday's series opener at Optus Stadium.
In his last newspaper column, former Test paceman Mitch Johnson had called on the Australian selectors to blood Morris immediately.
“We saw Lance put a few on, Marnus (Labuschagne) in particular – it was a good game, a good hit,” McDonald said of Sunday's centrewicket session.
'How do I say this: it (the side) will look the same as before.'
McDonald also continued to dismiss questions about who will replace opener David Warner, saying there is no rush in making that important decision.