Cricket Australia names former female player as Director

Former women’s Test player Mel Jones has been appointed to fill the vacant Director’s role on Cricket Australia’s board, with the governing body advising yesterday of Jones’ elevation as Victoria’s nominee.

Becoming the first former female player to become a state-appointed Director of Cricket Australia, the placement of Jones (pictured) brings to an end a turbulent period for the sport in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.

Chairman Earl Eddings had been the previous Victorian nominee, but moved to fill one of the three independent roles earlier this year. That came after he lost the backing of his state when he took over from David Peever as the Cricket Australia Chair amid the fallout from the cultural review last year.

Mark Taylor and Bob Every are two others to have stood down in the past 15 months. However, Jones’ appointment now returns the board to its full complement of nine, with six state-nominated directors and three independents.

Announcing the appointment, Eddings advised “Mel has been an active and inspiring part of the cricket fabric for many years and we are privileged to have her join the board.

“Australian cricket has been undergoing significant change over the past two years and I’ve no doubt Mel’s experience on and off the field will be an asset to the team as we move into our next phase.

“Mel’s commitment to the game and her advocacy, particularly for women in sport, will only bolster our continued focus on advancing cricket to be the number one sport for women and girls.”

Jones played five Tests and 61 one-dayers for Australia, winning two World Cups. She has remained in the game and filled various sports administration roles since her international retirement in 2005, including in Indigenous communities, schools, women’s and pathways cricket. She is also one of the most prominent commentators on the global circuit.

Looking forward to her role, she advised “I have much admiration for the work that has been undertaken over the past 18 months in particular, an incredibly challenging time for cricket, and testament to its place in the hearts of Australians.”