Cricket Australia names former NSW Premier Mike Baird as its new Chair

Former NSW Premier Mike Baird has been appointed as the new Chair of Cricket Australia.

Baird will take over from February with his predecessor Dr Lachlan Henderson stepping down to take on the Chief Executive’s job at health insurer HBF

Dr Henderson, who was only appointed in February, will remain on as a Director as he moves back to Perth where he was previously Chair at the WACA.

Baird, who spent a year on the Cricket NSW board, before becoming a Director of Cricket Australia in 2020, has been unanimously endorsed as the new Chair by fellow Cricket Australia directors and state chairs in the past week.

Baird takes over at a time where a new TV rights deal and pay agreement with players loom as significant challenges in the next year.

Commenting on his elevation, Baird (pictured) advised “it is an honour to take such an important role in Australian cricket at a time when so much exciting work is being done to grow our national sport and take it forward.

“I’m pleased to have the chance to work even more closely with CEO Nick Hockley and his team and all those working across Australian cricket.”

Under Dr Henderson’s chairmanship Australia also completed men’s tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in trying circumstances amid security concerns.