Kevin Roberts’ ignominious exit from the Cricket Australia, has led to the T20 World Cup local organising chief, Nick Hockley, as acting chief executive, as the organ of government conducts a global search for the next long-term leader.
Hockley, who has impressed many with his handling of the women’s race, crowned by a crowd of more than 86,000 people at the MCG for Australia’s win over India in the March 8 final, was the first involved in cricket as part of the organisational team for the ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, before holding a senior sales role with CA between 2015 and 2017.
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Earl Eddings, CA, president, spoke with the staff before addressing the media Tuesday, with the board due to confirm the details of a “reset operating,” which is expected to include layoffs Wednesday.
“Cricket, like all national sports, has gone through a period of great change and in the last few months we have had the additional uncertainty presented by COVID-19,” he said in a statement. “The whole cricket community has been affected and the difficult decisions, has been and will continue to be necessary, to ensure that cricket at all levels is in the best shape it can be, now and in the future.
“It is essential that the Cricket Australia, continues to provide strong leadership and work constructively with all those who have an interest in the future of the game, the players, all employees, state, associations, partners and supporters.
“Kevin has worked tirelessly since taking on the role in a difficult situation, in 2018, and in particular during the challenges of the last few months. He is a man of principle who has always put the interest of cricket before. We wish him all the very best for his future.
“We are optimistic about cricket, its present and its future and, together with our partners in all the States and Territories and the players, we are pleased to host a summer of cricket that will be great for the game and great for the nation.”
Before the 2015 World Cup, Hockley had worked for the London Olympics, in a way that brings a deep wealth of event management experience at a time when CA is eager to “get the show ” on the road” as far as next season is concerned, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Detector, Hockley has also worked closely with the former CA chief executive, James Sutherland, who has remained a director on the T20 World Cup the board after his departure from AC’s CEO chair after almost 18 years at the helm.
The departure of Roberts ends a difficult period of a little more than 18 months in the role, which ends with an ugly and the ongoing dispute between the AC, its state associations and the Players of the Australian cricket Association, in addition objected to the cutting of costs between the financial shocks caused by Covid-19.
“It’s been a privilege to lead and serve the sport that I love as CEO of Cricket Australia,” Roberts said. “Our team of staff and players are wonderful people who contribute so much to the game, and I’m proud of what we have achieved together. I would like to thank the army of volunteers in communities around the country that are the lifeblood of our sport, allowing children to play and dream of emulating their heroes in our national teams. As a lifelong and passionate member of the cricket community, I look forward to seeing the game flourish in the future.”
More to follow
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