Cricket Australia has hit back at Seven West Media in the latest episode of what has turned into an ugly dispute between the governing body and its broadcaster.
Interim CA CEO Nick Hockley's response comes after the broadcaster launched Federal Court proceedings over the scheduling of India's tour to Australia.
Seven has been left fuming after the usual schedule was flipped to have limited overs matches exclusive to Foxtel opening the summer of cricket, before being followed by the Test series.
The broadcaster believes that the flipped schedule will result in less ratings for the Test matches played later on in the summer when viewers may be returning to work.
"With so much positivity around Australian cricket, it is disappointing that Seven West Media has again chosen to use the media to talk our wonderful game down," Hockley said in a CA statement in part.
"CA has maintained all along our commitment to delivering a thrilling summer of cricket and on behalf of all involved, be that governments, partners, players and staff, I'm proud to say we are doing just that. We remain confident in our contractual position.
"In the most challenging environment sport has faced, with the support of our friends at the BCCI, CA has ensured that the much-anticipated series with India can go ahead safely.
"The first two men's Dettol ODIs between Australia and India set viewership records and is a great indicator of the level of interest in the upcoming Vodafone Test Series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which includes the first-ever day-night Test against India."
Seven is claiming that CA breached its contract with the fixture changes for this summer, and wants to see emails sent between CA officials and their BCCI counterparts, including president Sourav Ganguly.
The broadcaster also believes that CA caved to demands from the BCCI in flipping the schedule this summer, which will allow India to return home for a series against England.
The scheduling issue is not the only problem Seven has with CA, with its belief that the Big Bash League will not be up to standard this season due to diluted squads.
While CA has allowed each BBL team to sign three international players this summer, as opposed to the usual two, Seven believes that an expanded Australian squad required for the Tests will drag homegrown players away from the competition.
Seven is also unhappy that the BBL will begin with games being played in hubs in Canberra and Tasmania, arguing that it will make for a poor atmosphere.
"Australian cricket is also grateful to have wonderful partners across the spectrum. We very much appreciate their support and are proud to deliver for them, as well as our millions of passionate supporters across the country," Hockley added in the statement.
"We continue to have tremendous respect for the hardworking people across Channel 7's cricket and news broadcast teams and congratulate them on the substantial increase in ratings cricket has delivered them to date this season.
"We have, and will continue to, fulfil our obligations to our partners and supporters by scheduling a brilliant summer of cricket, despite the cost and complexity of doing so given the current public health situation."
If Seven is successful in proving that CA broached its $450 million contract with the broadcaster, it stands to receive tens of millions of dollars in damages.
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