SCANDAL MAY AFFECT CRICKET AUSTRALIA’S NEW TV DEAL

MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia was under mounting pressure to act decisively from key sponsors Monday who voiced “deep concern” over the cheating scandal.

The crisis couldn’t have come at a worse time for the governing body, which is renegotiating a lucrative TV deal, with the existing Aus$600 million five-year agreement expiring at the end of the year. There are concerns that broadcasters could use the controversy as a bargaining chip.

Sponsors of the team made clear Monday they were not happy, amid fears of the fallout on their brands. “This is deeply disappointing and certainly not what anyone expects from our national cricket team,” airline Qantas, whose logo is on the team shirts in South Africa, said. “We are in discussions with Cricket Australia as this issue unfolds.”

Financial giant Commonwealth Bank, which sponsors the national women’s team, said it wanted a full explanation. “We are disappointed about the events that have emerged from the third Test in South Africa and have asked for a full explanation from Cricket Australia following the conclusion of its investigation into this affair,” it said.

The team’s biggest sponsor, fund manager Magellan, told the Australian Financial Review: “We’re deeply concerned about it, it involves cheating, in no way would we condone it in what we do.” Magellan’s Hamish Douglass added that it was appropriate for CA to respond “quickly”.

Jaimie Fuller, executive chairman of the Skins compression wear group of companies, said CA’S reputation was on the line in how it responds.