Cricket NSW appoints former Cricket Australia executive

Cricket New South Wales has confirmed the appointment of former Cricket Australia Head of Strategy Andrew Jones as its new Chief Executive.

Jones comes into role at a challenging time for cricket in NSW after former Chief Executive Brad Gilbert left in January following 11 years in the role.

Last year, the Blues coach Anthony Stuart but that led to calls from former New South Wales great Brett Lee to go "right to the top" and axe Gilbert.

Gilbert ultimately went of his own accord amid complaints of poor communication and player disharmony that had seen high profile stars such as Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes move to play cricket interstate.

Jones has a business and cricket background, working in management consultancy roles and having worked with Cricket Australia and state organisations in various roles since 2004.

He has also played grade cricket for UNSW for more than 20 years.

Cricket New South Wales acknowledged the need to lift the sport in the state. A statement from Cricket NSW announcing Jones appointment read "the priority was to find the outstanding candidate to take Cricket New South Wales forward and return it to the position as the premier domestic cricket organisation in the world."

23rd May 2013 - COMMUNITY SPIRIT LIGHTS UP DRUMMOYNE OVAL