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ricket Australia interim CEO, Nick Hockley, has responded to the ongoing dispute between CA and Channel Seven, saying Seven’s approach to the matter has been “disappointing”.

“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.

“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.

“In the most challenging environment sport has faced, with the support of our friends at the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), 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,” he said.

These comments come after Channel Seven claimed the BCCI manipulated the summer cricket schedule, lodging an application for discover to see emails between CA, the BCCI, Foxtel, and state governments.

Seven believes CA moved the one-day and T20 matches against India to before the Test series on the wishes of the BCCI, despite the move meaning Seven would have to wait until December 17 to launch its international summer cricket season.

This is due to Fox Sports having exclusive rights to limited overs matches; Seven’s issue with the changes was reportedly due to the lack of international build-up for the BBL before it begins on December 10.

Seven’s latest move adds on to the pressures from the free-to-air broadcaster, with an independent arbitrator set to deliver their findings within the coming weeks.

Despite the claims from Seven, Foxtel has seen success with the rescheduling of the summer series with India, after Australia and India’s one-day-international became the most watched cricket match in Foxtel’s history with 585,000 viewers.

This dispute continues as the KFC Big Bash League (BBL) has announced a new partnership, with Bupa set to become the official health insurance partner of the league.

This move sees Bupa extend its commitment to Australian cricket, after spending the last 10 years as a partner of Australia’s national teams.

Cricket Australia’s (CA) head of Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson, said Bupa members will get exclusive offers on BBL apparel, signed merchandise, and money can’t buy experiences.

“The arrival of Bupa as official health insurance partner of the KFC BBL is yet another testament to the strength of the league,” Dobson said.

“We thank Bupa for their ongoing support of cricket and look forward to some great offers for all cricket fans this season,” he said.

Bupa director of health insurance marketing, Gretchen Fox, said: “Bupa is once again proud to partner with Cricket Australia, this year with the BBL.”

“We know our members love cricket, as do we.

“Through this partnership, this season we will be giving our members great BBL offers, experiences and opportunities,” Fox said.