Nations may go bankrupt if forced to play Tests: Greenberg

Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg says the traditional Test format could push some cricket nations into financial ruin and the sport may be better off with fewer five-day matches.

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Greenberg, who replaced Nick Hockley as CEO in March, said the future of test cricket may involve fewer nations and more investment in marquee series like the Ashes.

"I don't think everyone in world cricket needs to aspire to play test cricket, and that might be OK," Greenberg told reporters on Wednesday, marking 100 days before Australia host England in the Ashes.

"We're literally trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to try to play test cricket."

Greenberg, the former head of the sport's players' union, said cricket boards needed to prioritise meaningful contests over volume.

"Scarcity in Test cricket is our friend, not our foe," he said.

"We need to make sure we invest in the right spacesto play Test cricket where it means something and has jeopardy.

"That's why the Ashes will be as enormous and profitable as it is - because it means something."