"Largely comparable in commercial terms" - Nick Hockley says Ashes and BGT series are at par for Australia

Cricket Australia (CA) Chief Nick Hockley underlined that the commercial value of the Ashes and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series have become at par for them. Despite the series set to be contested in November, the CA boss reminded that the ticket sales are increasing exponentially.

The Ashes has a massive history associated with it. Meanwhile, the Test series between India and Australia has become among the greatest spectacles in the last few years. The upcoming series later this year will be even bigger due to India winning the last two series Down Under.

Speaking to The Hindustan Times, Hockley, who will step down from his role following the summer, remarked:

"The Border Gavaskar Trophy and the Ashes are both massive tours on the Australian cricket calendar and are largely comparable in commercial terms, with fantastic crowds and huge broadcast audiences for each. Ticket sales from India are already six times greater than for the previous non-COVID series."

Team India have also held the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since losing it back to Australia in the 2014-15 series. With Australia as the World Test Championship (WTC), they will be keen to retain it.

"Own unique pitch characteristics" - Nick Hockley

The two sides are set to play a five-Test series for the first time since 1991-92. The CA chief said it would be an interesting series, given how each ground varies in its behavior. He added:

"Australia’s iconic cricket venues each have their own unique pitch characteristics and conditions, which is what makes the series so intriguing, including, in more recent years, the introduction of the day-night Test."

The series will start on November 22 in Perth. Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney are the venues for the remaining Tests. The last two series contested in Australia ended in a 2-1 victory for India. Rohit Sharma and Co. had also won the previous series on their home soil.