Cricket Australia confirms Nick Hockley as permanent Chief Executive

Cricket Australia has announced the appointment of Nick Hockley as its Chief Executive on a permanent basis.

Hockley, who has spent 11 months working in the role on acting basis, took over as interim Chief Execuitve after heading the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Englishman took over from Kevin Roberts in June 2020 and delivered last summer’s international and domestic competitions, despite the significant challenges thrown up by the pandemic. He came into the job amid growing uncertainty and unrest at how Cricket Australia was handling the Coronavirus crisis.

Commenting on the appointment, Hockley stated leading Cricket Australia “is the greatest privilege” of his working life.

He advised “as Australia’s national sport, cricket is at the heart of our national and cultural identity.

“I am under no illusion about the importance of cricket to the lives of so many Australians, nor the magnitude and responsibility of this role.

“I am committed to doing all I can to making a positive contribution to the game and the community.

“Over the past 12 months, I have learnt first-hand about the breadth, scale and importance of the role.

“My approach has been and will continue to be to bring people across the game together, as I believe this is fundamental to achieving our full potential.

“It has been extremely rewarding to be part of CA, State and Territory Associations and the Australian Cricketers’ Association working together like never before over the past 12 months, to overcome the challenges presented by COVID-19 and deliver a summer for the ages.

“I look forward to building on this momentum and playing my role in deepening those relationships further, as well as playing a leading role in growing the game internationally alongside fellow ICC members.

“From community cricket to the international arena, Australian cricket is in excellent shape, due to the hard work and dedication of thousands of volunteers, coaches, players, match officials and employees across the country, all of whom are an inspiration to me.

“I am extremely grateful for the support and trust of our partners and the millions of fans in Australia and around the world who cheer on our teams.

“We are committed to being an organisation which you can be proud of and a sport where everyone belongs.”

Cricket Australia Chair Earl Eddings said Hockley’s contribution to the sport was already “immense”, noting “Nick was named interim CEO at an incredibly challenging period for Australian sport, and society in general, and there were many instances where the once-in-a-generation obstacles in his path must have seemed overwhelming.

“But through his leadership, resolve, worth ethic and vision for the game, Australian Cricket emerged stronger than ever. For that, Nick deserves enormous credit.”

One of Hockley’s next and most pressing assignments will be to broker a new pay deal between Cricket Australia and the players, following an ugly dispute between the two parties the last time a memorandum of understanding was drawn up.

“This relationship – one that is a genuine partnership – proved invaluable in delivering a full summer of cricket under difficult circumstances, maintaining not only the financial health of the game, but its vital place at the heart of an Australian summer.”

One of Hockley’s next and most pressing assignments will be to broker a new pay deal between CA and the players, following a dispute between the two parties the last time a memorandum of understanding was drawn up.”