At least one Victorian minister has privately accused Cricket Australia of using the delay in extending the deal as “leverage”.

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Appearing before parliament’s Public Accounts and Estimates Committee on Monday, Dimopoulos said he was not one of the ministers who had spoken to The Age.

“I don’t background,” he said. “What I am going to say to you is [the Boxing Day Test] has been here for 40 years. It’s the best Test this country sees. I look forward to many more.”

During the budget hearing, the minister was also asked why the Victorian government didn’t bid to host matches during the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.

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“Was it a budget constraint issue?” asked Nationals MP Danny O’Brien.

“No,” Dimopoulos replied. “It’s about fit. So calendar fit. But also venue availability.”

The Victorian government has previously invested in a new sports park at La Trobe University so that Melbourne could be called the “home of the Matildas”. However, the facility – in the city’s northeast suburbs – was designed to only seat 800 or so spectators and another 3000 or so around the pitch. In comparison, the MCG has capacity for about 100,000 spectators.

The MCG last week hosted a friendly between EPL giants Tottenham Hotspur, coached by Ange Postecoglou, and Newcastle United, while Marvel Stadium staged a double-header featuring Arsenal Women and Newcastle against women’s and men’s A-League All-Stars teams, respectively, as part Global Football Week. 

Victoria’s debt is forecast to rise to $187.8 billion by June 2028. In response, the Allan government has delayed services and infrastructure projects.

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