Cricket Australia approves new governance structure

Cricket Australia has approved what it calls the "biggest change in Australian cricket governance" after voting to replace its historic state-based Board of 14 Directors with a new, nine-person Board with three independent Directors and one each appointed by the six State Associations.

The new governance structure and new board members will take up their roles with effect from Cricket Australia's AGM on 25th October, with the six State Association-appointed directors already confirmed.

The changes were approved at a recent EGM, leading Cricket Australia Chair Wally Edwards to state "Australian cricket needs a governance that the modern sport deserves as a highly-professional, major player in the global sport and entertainment arena."

Edwards added that the decision was the biggest change in Australian cricket governance since CA was founded in 1905 by NSW, Victoria and SA as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket. Queensland, WA and Tasmania joined progressively in later years, with less votes each than the founding members.

Edwards stated "the outgoing governance served the sport well, as our long-term record in community participation, on-field international performance, and winning a place as a part of our national identity over the decades shows.

"(However) we are no longer a group of stand-alone states seeking to collectively organise international cricket matches we are increasingly thinking and acting as one unified national sport facing increasing competition for the public's attention and support".

The changes follow an Australian cricket governance review by David Crawford and Colin Carter that recommended a smaller, independent board.

Next steps will be for a CA nominations committee consisting of Wally Edwards, Cricket Victoria Chairman Geoff Tamblyn, South Australian Cricket Association President Ian McLachlan and eminent business leaders Don Argus and Tony Hodgson to identify and recommend three independent directors to join the CA Board.

The six State Association appointed Directors are Wally Edwards, John Bannon, Earl Eddings, Dr Harrry Harinath, Michael Kasprowicz and Tony Harrison.

Each Director will have one vote except in the case of a deadlock in which case the CA Chairman will have a casting vote.

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