"It's gone from being one of the great success stories to an absolute debacle in three years," one network insider said of how the cricket rights had crashed.

However, insiders who helped to broker the last contract on Saturday doubted the network could argue a "breach of material clause" as CA insists it is working towards fulfilling its contract with the expected "content".

CA chief Nick Hockley reiterated that on Saturday when he confirmed the women's national team will host New Zealand in six white-ball matches in a hub at Allan Border Field in Brisbane from late September. The matches will be shown on Seven and Fox Sports.

"We're as confident as ever that we will be able to deliver a schedule of matches that excites and entertains fans across the country and around the world," Hockley said.

Warburton's anger adds to general frustration the three commercial networks have with CA - and adds to a list of issues the sport's governing body must address before preliminary discussions open as early as next year about a new deal from 2024.

"But the problem they [CA] have got ... who are they actually selling to next time? There is an Ashes next summer but thing is, you have got to want work with people," one network insider said.

"This year is a complete disaster, then you have an Ashes summer, then you have a summer with no one of note coming. You have got to have people who want to buy your sport. No one trusts them. It's going to be hard yards."

Nine Entertainment Co lost the rights it held for four decades in 2018, with relations, at times, testy during the final years of a deal that ultimately led to Nine - owner of this masthead - dumping cricket and joining forces with Tennis Australia.

Network Ten had turned the BBL into a ratings and commercial winner and had offered CA a stand-alone deal for just under $1 billion to secure the rights to the BBL and international series in Australia. Relations with Ten soured when, having learnt the network was also prepared to team with Nine, David Peever, CA's then chairman, sent a scathing letter to Ten's owner, America's CBS, labelling them "bottom feeders" for what he felt was a plan to drive the price down.

Sources say CBS still hasn't forgotten those comments.

Foxtel has also kept a close eye on the issue and has remained concerned about the standard and lack of "star power" of the BBL.

Mindful of the Longstaff report that dubbed CA as "arrogant", CA has not wanted to make an aggressive public response during this current fight, insisting it has full respect for its broadcast partners. But privately some officials remain baffled, even angered, by Seven's attack.

A winter of discontent that led to the demise of CA chief Kevin Roberts comes as some officials still cannot understand why CA opted to expand the BBL this summer, having been urged to shorten the tournament and host the final on Australia Day after last summer's issues.

CA rejected the high-level advice that came in a 35-page report it commissioned through highly-respected television sports chief David Barham, who had turned the BBL into a ratings behemoth on Ten.

In a bid to rebuild the BBL in terms of attendances and television ratings, sources have told The Age and Sun-Herald the sport's governing body was urged to dedicate the final three weeks of January to the BBL once the customary final Test of the summer, in Sydney, concluded. This meant the top Australian and even international talent would be available.

Instead, this summer's initial schedule has the tournament beginning at an earlier date of December 3, while running until February 6. That, however, could be changed when a new summer schedule is released within weeks.

Women's T20 Series v New Zealand at Allan Border Field:
First T20: September 26
Second T20: September 27
Third T20: September 30

Women's ODI Series v New Zealand at Allan Border Field:
First ODI: October 3
Second ODI: October 5
Third ODI: October 7