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The battle between India and Australia has undoubtedly turned out to be the most fascinating one in modern day Test cricket. Ever since Sourav Ganguly’s Indian team stopped Steve Waugh’s all-conquering Australian team in 2001, the rivalry between the two teams and the players have gone up several notches.

Australian off spinner Nathan Lyon, who has played a big part in the Test matches over the last decade, has put this rivalry next to the traditional Ashes. While speaking to reporters Lyon said that the Aussies were outplayed by the Indians on the last tour and they are waiting to get the record straight when India comes calling later this year.

“You never like losing series or games of cricket for Australia,” Lyon was quoted as telling reporters by sportingnews.com

“India a couple of years ago, they outplayed us.

“But we’re looking forward to having those guys come here, it’s getting up there to the pinnacle series alongside the Ashes.

“They’ve got a side full of superstars and it’s going to be an amazing challenge this Australian summer when they get out here,” he said.

Lyon is the most successful Australian bowler against India in Tests and that too by miles. He has 85 wickets to his name in 18 Tests against the Indians at an average of 32.60.

Talking about how he has been practising in the lockdown, Lyon said, “I haven’t had a pre-season, this is basically my first winter in ten years.”

“It’s exciting to be home and just to be around all the boys here and all the rookies as well trying to pass on a little bit of knowledge.


“Have I started bowling? I’ve been doing a bit of bowling-coaching with young Ben Manenti from the Sydney Sixers, so I’ve been bowling with him a fair bit over the last three to four weeks.

“I have started, it’s not everyday stuff but it’s coming along well though,” he added.

Australia are set to play their next Test match against Afghanistan in November before locking horns with India

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...es-to-ashes/story-TDPzlu6Mv1YzXe9FeeOShJ.html
 
Michael Kasprowicz departs CA Board

Cricket Australia Chair, Earl Eddings, today confirmed the resignation of Non-Executive Director, Michael Kasprowicz, effective immediately.

In a statement to the Board, Michael advised of his intention to resign, wishing Australian Cricket well.

Mr Eddings said: “Michael has been a servant of Australian Cricket as a former International player, ACA President, Interim CEO of Queensland Cricket and a member of the Board for eight years. He is a long-standing member of the cricket family and we thank him for his contribution.”

Mr Kasprowicz said: “As I did on the field, I believe I have given absolutely everything to this position and over the years have enjoyed the opportunity to represent every stakeholder of cricket in this country.

“The experience has been an honour and an absolute privilege, but now is the right time for me to step down.”
 
"Would Be Ideal To Go With Large Contingent" On Australia Tour: MSK Prasad

A mandatory 14-day quarantine period in Adelaide before the start of India's marquee Test series against Australia might prompt the BCCI to send a jumbo squad much like the West Indies and Pakistan in England, feels former chairman of selectors MSK Prasad. According to Prasad, it might be a good idea to have at least a 26-strong squad for the tour Down Under where both India and the 'A' team could be clubbed together for a month.

Pakistan are travelling with a squad of 29 (including white-ball specialists) while the West Indies have 26 on their roster in order to maintain the COVID-19 protocols in England.

"The team management and seniors will have an opportunity to look at the youngsters who are knocking the doors," Prasad, who till February was selection committee head, told PTI during an interaction.

"In this process, you can also monitor those players who can be the potential guys for different spots in future," Prasad said.

A squad of 26 will ensure that India can be divided into two groups and a warm-up game could be played during the quarantine period.

"Since we cannot trust the net bowlers about their exposure to COVID, it would be ideal to go with a large contingent as we can be assured of all the players' safety as they will be in a bio-secure environment," Prasad reasoned.

"In case someone tests COVID positive, then the players from this contingent can be picked as they would have served the mandatory quarantine period," he added.

Prasad opined that it will be a healthy preparation for the main team as the first-choice batsmen will have a wide variety of bowlers at their disposal.

"Even for our main bowlers, they will have fresh batsmen to bowl at unlike the same bunch of first team boys. For instance, Shreyas Iyer is very aggressive and at times can be unorthodox. So, he might offer variety of skills which the Australian batsman might posses.

"On the other hand, a left-armer Khaleel Ahmed's presence will help in preparing for Mitchell Starc's angled deliveries," said Prasad.

A good bunch of reserve fast bowlers would be ideal as the first team bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav won't get tired in the nets in the absence of net bowlers.

The other reason to carry a big squad is that Sunil Joshi's panel will not have a reference frame as there would be no domestic cricket before the start of Ranji Trophy.

If there is no domestic cricket happening then taking a large group of players will help the final squad in terms of quality preparation leading up to the Test series, reckons Prasad.

"Also, if IPL is going to happen prior to this series then carrying a large contingent is better as we need to be ready with back ups in case somebody gets injured or is carrying the niggles from the IPL."

But there are a few disadvantages also and Prasad cited a couple of them.

"The only tough part that we will be facing because of this large contingent is managing such a large pool of players. To provide quality practise sessions to all of them will also be a challenge," said Prasad.

The other reason is that save for Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari (the two unsold Test players in IPL), others will have to switch from T20 to Test mode.

"If IPL is going to happen prior to this series then majority of these players would have played in it and then carrying extra players might become a debatable issue.

"But let's not forget that IPL is only a T20 tournament which may not be ideal preparation for Test series," said Prasad.

Asked to put on the selector's hat one more time, the former India wicketkeeper picked up his choice of 26 players -- a mix and match of Test, ODI and T20 specialists.

His Choices:

Openers: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul.

Middle-order: Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer.

Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha.

Spinners:Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav.

All-rounder: Hardik Pandya.

https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/msk...on-australia-tour-2268288?pfrom=cricketwidget
 
The discussions have been on about Australia’s possible limited overs tour to England in September but no final decision has been reached yet. Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has said that all the players are getting ready to travel but the final decision rests with the boards.

“It’s still very much up in the air which is the way of the world at the moment. It’s changing day by day. We’re having weekly meetings about the challenges of the tour and where this all sits,” cricket.com.au quoted Starc as saying.

“We’ve got another one on Thursday to see if there are any progressions on that. All the players are preparing to play and planning to go. It’s now up to Cricket Australia and the government on both sides as to whether we jump on that plane. In terms of the cricket, we’ll just get ready for the series,” he added.

England recently completed a three-match Test series against West Indies, followed by a three-match ODI series against Ireland. They will now take on Pakistan in a Test series followed by a T20 series.

Earlier today, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed the postponement of the men’s T20I series against West Indies which was slated to be played in October this year.

“In light of this development, and given the preference to host the warm-up three-match T20 series against the West Indies to coincide with the rescheduled T20 World Cup in Australia (which will take place in either 2021 or 2022), it has been agreed to postpone the matches,” CA said in an official statement.

The cancellation of the series means the players of both the countries will be available for the entire duration of the IPL, which is slated to begin in the UAE from September 19.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...starc/story-oyDIz09GHCNF5jhlVpf0VI.htmlAdding
 
Cricket Australia is contemplating moving the traditional Boxing Day Test against India from Melbourne to Adelaide due to rising COVID-19 cases in the state of Victoria. According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Adelaide has emerged as a frontrunner to host the December 26-30 marquee fixture. In this regard, CA chairman Earl Eddings has called for an urgent convening of the national cricket cabinet next week to discuss ways for smooth conduct of the series and avoid losing a staggering 300 million Australian dollars.

The situation in Victoria is not good and a senior cricket official told the country’s leading daily that there is no way the current schedule can go ahead as planned with the state border restrictions in place amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Victoria has so far reported over 13000 positive cases for the coronavirus besides 170 deaths.

As far as the other Australian states are concerned, New South Wales comes a distant second with close to 4000 positive cases. South Australia, whose capital is Adelaide, has so far reported 457 confirmed cases with 445 of them recovered.

CA had earlier said that the existing schedule is subject to change. In May, CA had confirmed that India will make the trip Down Under later this year for a financially critical assignment comprising four Tests and ODIs.

Virat Kohli’s men will feature in a high-profile Test series, beginning on December 3 at Brisbane. India are then scheduled to play a day/night Test, as committed by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, from December 11 to 15 in Adelaide. The third and fourth Tests will be held in Melbourne (December 26-30) and Sydney (January 3 to 7) respectively.

The series is crucial for the financial health of CA, which has had to stand down staff to handle cost of operations in the wake of the pandemic.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...to-adelaide/story-y9WupenyPs5R0XIVuHStnO.html
 
Cricket Australia appoints Nick Hockley as CEO

The board of Cricket Australia confirms the appointment of Nick Hockley to the position of Chief Executive Officer.

Hockley has served with distinction as CA’s Interim CEO since June 2020, overseeing the successful delivery of last season’s international and domestic competitions in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hockley has spent almost a decade in cricket with highly successful stints as the CEO of the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Local Organising Committee, Head of Commercial Projects at CA and as General Manager, Commercial and Marketing, at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

Prior to cricket, Hockley was Head of Commercial Negotiations for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games prior to which he held senior corporate finance roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Sydney and London, where he also qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

Hockley said he was honoured to be announced as CA’s new CEO.

“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. Leading Cricket Australia is the greatest privilege of my working life and I am committed to doing all I can to making a positive contribution to the game and the community,” Hockley said.

“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.

“I would also like to thank the CA board for the faith they have placed in me to continue to lead CA at this important and exciting time for the sport. The change and complexity brought about by Covid-19 has created lots of challenges, but also plenty of opportunities. By working together with our partners across the game, I feel confident and optimistic about cricket’s ability to rise to the challenges of the modern world and thrive.”

Earl Eddings, CA Chair, congratulated Hockley on his appointment.

“Nick’s contribution to Australian Cricket has been immense and, on behalf of the board, I am most pleased to confirm his appointment as CEO, which was unanimously endorsed by the board,” Eddings said.

“From delivering the historic T20 Women’s World Cup to ensuring a safe and successful 2020-21 season, Nick has already proven himself to be in the very top echelon of sports administrators both in Australia and around the world.

“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.

“In addition to his excellent record of strategy and delivery, Nick has been pivotal in galvanising Australian Cricket and strengthening relationships with our partners. I have no doubt those bonds will deepen further under his stewardship, which will serve to grow the game at all levels.

“Only 14 people have served as CEO or secretary of Australia’s national cricket body, and just 12 since the then-Australian Board of Control for International Cricket was formally established 116 years ago. I firmly believe Nick will be regarded among the very best of them and carry on their legacy of ensuring cricket is a sport for all Australians.

“The role of CEO of CA is one of the most highly regarded in sport and, accordingly, we were fortunate to have many outstanding candidates apply for the post. The board and I thank every one of them and wish them well in their future endeavours.”
 
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Cricket Australia has rewarded Nick Hockley for his strong performance during the COVID-19 pandemic by appointing him as full-time chief executive.

Rushed in as interim CEO almost a year ago to replace the deposed Kevin Roberts, Hockley preserved CA’s financial viability by ensuring the full Indian tour and men’s and women’s Big Bash took place despite the obstacles posed by lockdowns and travel restrictions.

His performance made a mockery of the CA board’s panicked response to the pandemic, when it cut hard and early, standing down its workforce on Jobkeeper for 10 weeks and green-lighting most states to slash community cricket programs.

Hockley will have little time to bathe in the glory of his achievements. There are major issues on the horizon, starting with the players’ memorandum of understanding due to be signed off after next season.

This will be followed by broadcast rights negotiations with Fox Sports and a disgruntled Channel 7, who unsuccessfully attempted to bully CA into a COVID-induced pay cut despite ending up with a full schedule of content.

The last MOU negotiation, in 2017, sparked an ugly war between the CA and the players, who ended up being uncontracted for a period.

Both Hockley and the recently appointed Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO Todd Greenberg have made encouraging noises about the next round of negotiations. Hockley said CA had worked “closer than ever” with the ACA over the past few months.

“We’ve already started talking about what’s important to the playing group and what’s important to the game,” Hockley said. “Those discussions will continue over the coming months.”

Greenberg praised Hockley for his co-operation.

“Over the past 12 months, Nick has overseen a re-invigoration of the relationship between cricket’s governing body and the ACA,” Greenberg said.

“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.”

An Englishman, Hockley has a strong pedigree in sports administration, including key roles with the 2012 Olympics in London and 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Most recently, he headed the International Cricket Council’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.

The Women’s T20 World Cup in March 2020 was a triumph, with more than 86,000 watching Australia beat India in the final at the MCG. However, the men’s event, scheduled for October, was postponed until next year because of the pandemic.

Hockley beat a shortlist of candidates including former NRL and Football Australia CEO David Gallop.

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

“The change and complexity brought about by COVID-19 has created lots of challenges, but also plenty of opportunities. By working together with our partners across the game, I feel confident and optimistic about cricket’s ability to rise to the challenges of the modern world and thrive.”

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricke...ces-immediate-challenges-20210531-p57wtj.html
 
The Cricket Australia Board has endorsed the appointment of former Australian captain George Bailey as Chair of the National Selection Panel (NSP) to replace the retiring Trevor Hohns.

Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager, High Performance and National Teams, said the search had begun for a third panel member to join Bailey and head coach Justin Langer.

“George is a highly respected leader who is now well established on the NSP alongside Justin as the head coach,” Oliver said.

“He has brought recent playing experience with a deep understanding of the game, an open and collaborative style and a desire to keep improving the selection function.

“The third panel member will add to their combined experience as we look for someone who will bring complimentary skills along with their own perspective and diversity of thinking.”

Bailey said he was looking forward to the new role and an exciting period ahead for the Australian men’s side with the ICC T20 World Cup, a home Ashes and away tours to the subcontinent in the short term.

“Firstly, I would like to thank Trevor for his incredible work which has helped shape the success of Australian cricket over a long period, including during my days as a player and captain,” Bailey said.

“In what can be a challenging job Trevor has always been calm, consistent and approachable. Similarly to his journey, he has made my transition from player to selector as smooth as possible. There is a lot I will take from Trevor’s style and very much look forward to the journey ahead.”

Hohns stepped back from the role having played an integral part in some of the greatest successes in Australian cricket.

He first joined the selection panel in 1991 having retired from playing after the 1989 Ashes tour and he has since logged an impressive honour roll including World Cups, multiple Ashes wins in England and at home as well as historic away victories over India and Pakistan.

He has presided over the selection of many of Australia’s greatest teams including those from the dominant Allan Border and Mark Taylor eras to the world-record winning Ricky Ponting team which won 21 successive one-day internationals.

His first tenure included five straight Ashes series wins and a record 16 consecutive Test wins, as well as back-to-back World Cups in 1999 and 2003.

“The game has been great to me and I have loved every minute of it, from the good times to the bad,” Hohns said. “I have been extremely fortunate to be involved with some of the greatest Australian teams of all time and many of the best players to have played the game.

“The successes of the side over the years have been great but I remember my time just as much for the wonderful people you work with and those you meet along the way. It has been an amazing journey for me, but all things come to an end. I am happy with my decision.”

Oliver said Hohns had been one of the game’s most successful figures over the last three decades.

“The impact Trevor has had on Australian cricket has been unparalleled over a long period of time,” Oliver said. “For someone to have played such an integral part in so many incredible eras is a feat few, if any, ever achieve.

“The role of national selector is one of the most scrutinised in Australian sport and Trevor has performed it with great strength, judgement and humility. We will miss his experience but respect his decision to take a step back from the game and are grateful for his stewardship.”

More recently Hohns played an integral part in Australia’s away Ashes success in 2019 as the side began a rebuilding phase. In that time the side also rose to No.1 in the world in T20 International cricket.
 
Domestic summer of cricket gets underway
Cricket Australia has today confirmed a delayed start to the 2021-22 domestic cricket schedule, with dates of opening fixtures for South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania announced.

Work is ongoing to finalise the dates and locations of the opening matches for New South Wales and Victoria, given current lockdowns and border restrictions. Further fixtures will be confirmed as soon as possible.

These changes have been made in response to public health conditions, border restrictions and their related impacts. Cricket Australia will continue to prioritise the health and safety of players, staff and officials, cricket fans and the wider community, in navigating the upcoming summer.

The men’s domestic season will begin on September 22 with a Marsh One-Day Cup match between South Australia and Western Australia at Karen Rolton Oval. The Marsh Sheffield Shield season will begin on September 24, with the same two sides going head-to-head at the same venue.

Queensland then plays Tasmania in the Marsh Sheffield Shield on September 28 followed by a Marsh Cup match on October 3, both at Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane.

The Women’s National Cricket League will now be played entirely after the WBBL|07 season is completed, with the first game scheduled for December 16 with the final set down for March 6.

The full revised domestic schedules for the Marsh Sheffield Shield, Marsh Cup and WNCL will be released in due course.

Cricket Australia’s Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling, Peter Roach, said: “Like all sports, we cannot rule out facing challenges created by the global pandemic at some stage in the season.

"However, the lessons of the 2020-21 summer have prepared us well to be agile and adapt as required to deliver the best possible season for the players and fans.

“We thank the States and Territories for their support and understanding through this process and are delighted to be making a start to the season. We will build out further fixtures in the coming weeks and announce them once finalised.

“We also thank our fantastic partners Marsh, Foxtel and Kayo for their ongoing support of domestic cricket.”
 
With Earl Eddings set to be endorsed for a second term as chair of Cricket Australia – despite the objections of both Queensland and New South Wales cricket – it has emerged that the board changed its policy to encourage repeat terms for the position.

Eddings has the full support of his board, but his opposite number in England resigned on Thursday after serving just 12 months into his five-year term. ECB chair Ian Watmore had fallen foul of the counties and upset many with his call to cancel a tour of Pakistan.

In Australia time limits for directors had been pushed to the side and encouragement given to chairs staying for longer than their three-year term.

A number of updates were made to Cricket Australia’s Governance Policy in recent years.

Excerpts shown to The Weekend Australian include this amendment which apparently dates back to 2017: “in recognition of the complexity of the role of Chair of Cricket Australia it is the preference of the board that the chair holds the position for a minimum of two terms …”

Eddings is seeking to continue another term after 13 years on the board. Previously it was policy that a director sit for a maximum of nine years, but that too was changed.

“ … the governance policy set out the maximum expected tenure of a board member is nine years however the nominations committee is entitled to override the tenure of nine years should the specific skills, knowledge, experience or capability of that board member need to be retained,” the update read.

Cricket Australia told The Weekend Australian that the change to the chair’s tenure was made during David Peever’s reign.

Peever, whose first term was rocked by the crisis of the Memorandum of Understanding dispute with the players and the sandpaper debacle, began a second term on the same day the Longstaff culture review was released at the AGM in October 2019.

The former Rio Tinto chief was forced to stand down before the end of that month – as exclusively revealed in The Australian – when NSW chair John Knox rang him directly and relayed that he had lost the support of the largest state.

Eddings was Peever’s deputy and assumed the role on a temporary, and then permanent, basis but had to later change to an independent role because he lost the support of the Victorian board in mid 2019.

Knox wrote to Eddings in November 2019 passing on “a concern our (the NSW) board has on the succession planning for your role as CA Chairman … we believe you and your board need to prepare appropriately for the transition to a new Chairman in November 2021 (or sooner if something meant that you could not continue in the role)”.

Eddings has argued that he has not had time to groom a successor because of the pandemic which hit in early 2020, but this argument is not accepted by the NSW or Queensland boards.

As a compromise he has agreed to identify a successor and stand down some time during the next three years.

The Australian revealed on Thursday that Cricket Australia’s directors have ignored the wishes of the two states and rejected a bid placed at last week’s meeting to have Eddings agree to go by the end of May 2022.

The culture review that followed the South African scandal in 2018 included a call for the board to publish minutes of meetings subject to issues of commercial and other confidentialities.

This was pushed back against by the CA board which said its key priority was “to communicate transparently” with states and territories but it would “consider publishing media releases on key outcomes from Board meetings”.

While the board implemented a number of the 42 recommendations it has dragged the chain on some including the first which calls for the establishment of an Ethics Commission.

At the time it was indicated a commissioner would be appointed, but three years have passed with no sign of action.

English cricket, reeling from the cancellation of the Pakistan tour and following a shambolic meeting with counties over the structure of domestic cricket, found itself without a chair on Friday after Watmore stood down effective immediately.

Mike Atherton, whose columns appear in The Australian, wrote that while the chair had accepted responsibility for his failings the fallout should not end there.

“It is to be hoped the appointment of the next chairman will be done with more rigour,” he wrote. “Little in Watmore’s recent career, as a civil servant, brief chief executive of the FA and non-executive director of the English Football League, suggested he was cut out for the rough and tumble of cricket politics.

“Watmore’s going should occasion others on the board to question their role as well. Anyone with an ounce of cricketing sense, or an understanding of the world game, should have been able to see how disastrous the decision to cancel the Pakistan tour was going to be, but there is a real absence of cricketing knowledge and expertise among the non-executives. It always seemed likely to me that there would be some serious fallout from cancelling the Pakistan tour. Ultimately, Watmore had to be accountable for the mess.
 
Earl Eddings resigns as Cricket Australia Chair, new Chair appointed for AGM

Earl Eddings has today stepped down as Chair of Cricket Australia and will not stand for re-election as a director at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday, ending a 13-year commitment to the organisation.

Mr Eddings said he believed the decision was in the best interests of cricket and would provide the opportunity to continue the ongoing Board renewal process.

Mr Eddings said he was proud of his contribution to the sport during his 13 years as a director of Cricket Australia and three-year term as Chair.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to be able to serve the sport I love as a Cricket Australia director. In that time, and particularly during my time as Chair, we have navigated some of the sport’s greatest challenges, including rebuilding the trust and reputation of Australian cricket after the Newlands incident and, more recently, the enormous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and international cricket," he said.

“I am particularly proud of our collective efforts to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 to stage a hugely successful Indian tour last summer and ensure the Ashes can go ahead this summer. It has been terrific to be involved in the growth of the women’s game in recent years, from the success of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and Women’s Big Bash League to the continued increase in girls taking up our sport. I have also been pleased to strengthen relations with the players through the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA).

“It is my sincere hope that following my resignation the State and Territory associations can unite and work together in the best interests of cricket, allowing the focus to return to the sport ahead of the 2021-22 season.

“I would like to extend my thanks to all of those who have worked hard to support the sport, and me personally, during my term as Chair – my fellow directors and the entire Cricket Australia team, the players and coaching staff, the Australian Cricketers’ Association, the State and Territory cricket associations, our commercial and international partners and every club member and volunteer who keeps the sport thriving in the community.

“My passion for the game is undiminished and I look forward to cheering on our men and women, boys and girls on every stage – from the forthcoming Ashes Tests to weekend club cricket – over the coming summer and beyond.”

Current director Richard Freudenstein has been elected Chair of Cricket Australia and will serve for a short period until a permanent Chair is elected. Mr Freudenstein will chair Thursday’s Cricket Australia AGM, at which the States will have the opportunity to vote on the re-election of two directors, Lachlan Henderson and Greg Rowell.

The Board has previously announced that a deputy chair and anointed successor to the chair would be named after the end of the 2021-22 season.

Following Mr Eddings’ resignation, that process will now be accelerated, with the aim of appointing a permanent chair by the end of the year after a rigorous process involving input from the State and Territory members.
 
Cricket Australia announces annual results and Board appointments

Cricket Australia (CA) today announced its financial results for the full year ending 30 June 2021.

In the 2020-21 financial year, CA delivered a 6% increase in revenue to $414.7 million, reflecting the collective efforts of the cricket community to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to keep playing, as well as the continued support of broadcast and commercial partners.

Due to an ongoing program of efficiency initiatives that began in the previous financial year, CA delivered $54 million in savings, while additional COVID-related costs of $23 million were incurred on measures such as biosecurity to keep the game safe.

As a result, CA delivered a net deficit of $151k. Although this was an improvement on revised budgetary expectations, it represented a significant adverse variation from the four-year cycle projections in the long-range plan due to the impacts of COVID-19 on match revenues and costs.

The Australian men’s team was the first international touring team from any sport on our shores to travel overseas after the onset of COVID-19, playing two ODI and T20 International series in England. It is currently ranked Number 3 in the ICC Test team rankings.

The Australian Women’s Cricket team was victorious in its summer series against New Zealand and retained its Number 1 ranking in one-day international and T20 international cricket.

The Australia vs India Vodafone Test series captivated the world, with 28 of the 31 sessions of the Test series had average domestic viewership of more than one million, the most of any sport in Australia in 2020.

KFC|10 BBL was the most watched on record, with a total audience of 44.82 million across the tournament.

The entire rebel WBBL|06 series was played in a hub in Sydney, with a record 36 out of 59 matches broadcast, and was the most watched female sport in Australia.

858,465 fans still attended the cricket during summer, despite COVID-19 restrictions.

More than 170,000 games of community cricket were played in a COVID-safe environment, courtesy of the army of hard-working volunteers, while girls’ registrations in club cricket and Woolworths Cricket Blast increased 17.5%.

Today’s Annual General Meeting voted in favour of the re-election of WA Cricket-nominated director Lachlan Henderson and Queensland Cricket-nominated director Greg Rowell.

Richard Freudenstein, Cricket Australia Chair, who was elected on Wednesday following the resignation of Earl Eddings, said it is anticipated the Board will appoint a permanent Chair by the end of 2021.

Richard Freudenstein, Cricket Australia Chair, said:

“Everything that has been achieved in the past 12 months shows not only the resilience of our sport but also what can be done when we work together. This is a clear lesson we have all taken from the pandemic and will remain with us throughout this coming season,” he said.

“The Board has commenced the process of identifying the next Chair and it is anticipated that we will be in a position to make an appointment before the end of the year.

“I would like to acknowledge Earl Eddings’ enormous contribution to Cricket Australia, including the past three years as Chair. During his 13 years on the Board, Earl has been a passionate advocate for our game and in recent years, has guided cricket through some of its greatest challenges, including rebuilding the trust and reputation of the sport after Cape Town and working with the cricket community to overcome the enormous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We should all be proud of the way the sport rose to the challenges of COVID-19 to stage a hugely successful Indian tour last summer and ensure the Ashes can go ahead this summer. Earl’s role in that, in particular managing our international relationships has been critical. Additionally, under his stewardship, the women’s game has gone from strength to strength, particularly the Australian women’s team and the Weber WBBL.

“I share Earl’s hope that with his resignation, the cricket community can unite and work together in the best interests of the sport, allowing the focus to return to the game ahead of the 2021-22 season.

“Speaking on behalf of the Cricket Australia Board, I can assure our members that we have listened and will be making a renewed effort to engage more consistently and deeply with you throughout the coming summer and beyond.

“In the past 12 months, we’ve all faced significant challenges and demonstrated the resilience and collaborative spirit that defines our sport. And here we are now, heading into an Ashes summer, and towards a World Cup – we have much to be proud of and a lot to look forward to.”

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, said:

“In 2020-21, in a world where everyone has faced so many challenges, the collective commitment, resolve and sacrifice from so many people has meant that we delivered an incredible cricket season that gave hope and joy to people all around Australia and around the cricketing world,” he said.

“Thank you to all our players, match officials, employees, and their families; the teams that have visited Australia and those who have hosted us; each State and Territory Cricket Association; the Australian Cricketers’ Association; our governments partners and world-class venues; fans; and the thousands of players and volunteers who kept cricket going at community level.

“In the past year, Australia’s truly national sport has provided something positive for all Australians in the face of challenge and uncertainty. It has united and entertained in equal measure. We look forward to building on the experience, teamwork and lessons learned to deliver another uplifting season in 2021-22.

“Having already hosted a fantastic Commonwealth Bank Women’s International Series between India and Australia, we look forward to the Weber WBBL starting tonight, the KFC BBL, the Men’s Vodafone Ashes series, the Women’s Commonwealth Bank Ashes series, the Men’s Dettol ODI & T20I Series against New Zealand & Sri Lanka, the WNCL, Marsh Sheffield Shield, Marsh One-Day Cup and the ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. It’s going to be another massive summer of cricket.

“As we look forward beyond the pandemic, it’s never been more important that we work together across the game to make our sport more inclusive, diverse and sustainable.”
 
Cricket-Governance row continues to dog Australian board

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australian cricket remains riven by governance feuds three years after “Sandpaper-gate”, with the country’s most powerful state demanding further change to the board a day after the resignation of chairman Earl Eddings.

Cricket New South Wales chairman John Knox took aim at Cricket Australia’s executive board, saying the member states were not given enough say in how the game is run, while criticising the chairman’s role and pay.

“It is crucial that the shareholders and the board of Cricket Australia work closely together over the next few months to learn from the past and to put in place the necessary changes to ensure the success of our great game,” Knox said at CA’s annual general meeting on Thursday.

Eddings resigned on Wednesday after losing support of New South Wales and other states, rather than fail in his re-election bid at the AGM.

Director Richard Freudenstein was appointed CA chairman on an interim basis.

A scathing review into the culture of Australian cricket in the wake of the Newlands ball-tampering scandal triggered upheaval in CA’s executive ranks.

Chairman David Peever resigned while director Mark Taylor and other top executives also vacated their roles, but their replacements have failed to keep a lid on growing discontent among members through a rocky period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

CA said revenue increased 6% to A$414.7 million ($306.38 million) in the 2020/21 financial year after India’s lucrative four-test tour went ahead.

However, the board posted a A$151,000 deficit, calling it a “significant adverse variation” from its budgeting over a four-year cycle.

Tours by India and England for the Ashes generate the lion’s share of income for Australian cricket through each cycle.

CA, which cut dozens of staff last year amid the fall-out from the pandemic, said it had saved A$54 million in “efficiencies” but had to spend A$23 million on additional COVID-related costs to keep the game safe.

Revenue was hit by the cancellation of some international matches and caps on crowds.

CA expects to name a replacement chairman in the short term but Knox said the board needed to rethink the role’s duties and pay, which local media have reported at A$250,000 ($185,000) per annum.

“It is highly unusual in any business or sporting environment that the chair of any organisation would be paid at such a significant multiple to what other directors are paid,” said Knox.

Freudenstein said the chairmanship was different to that in other sports and that the pay was justified due to the “international aspect” of the role.

($1 = 1.3535 Australian dollars)

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/showthread.php?293644-Cricket-Australia-appoints-Nick-Hockley-as-CEO-Post-166/page3&highlight=hockley+appointed
 
Former Australian fast bowler and senior administrator Tony Dodemaide will join the men’s National Selection Panel (NSP) alongside Chair George Bailey and Head Coach Justin Langer.

Dodemaide played 10 Test matches and 24 ODIs for Australia as well as 93 Sheffield Shield games for Victoria before turning to administration as MCC Head of Cricket at Lord’s, CEO of Western Australian Cricket and then the long-term boss of Cricket Victoria.

As Cricket Victoria CEO he led the redevelopment of Victorian cricket’s home at Junction Oval, turning the historic facility and home of the St Kilda Cricket Club into a world class venue for playing, training and administering the game in the state.

He is currently General Manager of Hockey One, the new elite national competition for Australian hockey. He will step down from that position to join the NSP in mid-November prior to the home Vodafone Ashes series.

Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of High Performance and National Teams, welcomed Dodemaide’s return to Australian cricket.

“Tony led a field of very strong candidates and we are thrilled to have him join the NSP at an important and exciting period for the Australian men’s team.

“He is an ideal fit for the selector role at this time and brings skills and experience that will complement George and Justin while adding value to the team and high performance area more broadly.”

Dodemaide expressed excitement on his appointment.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a contribution not only in the immediate tournaments and series but also to help chart the medium to longer term course of the Australian men’s teams,” Dodemaide said.

“I can’t wait to offer my experience in cricket as a player and in management to assist George (Bailey) and JL (Langer) but also the wider Australian cricket high performance network.

“Throughout my cricket journey I have often been close to high performance and selection, so I feel well suited to and prepared for this role.”

Dodemaide said his time in hockey was valuable and would benefit his new role.

“I very much enjoyed the opportunity to work in hockey, another great and respected Australian sport, after many years in the cricket system. To experience first-hand how other sports operate brings new perspective and learnings to the table.

“Like any system, high performance sport, including list management and selection, is always evolving. I believe cricket can tap further into other sports and be a world leader in these areas.”

Dodemaide was part of one of Victoria’s most memorable eras as a player alongside team-mates including Merv Hughes and Dean Jones before he returned as CEO. He also played County Cricket for Sussex before his posts in administration and management.

The bowling all-rounder took 6-58 in his first Test match against New Zealand while scoring a half century on debut.
 
Earlier today play was suspended in the Marsh Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval due to concerns with the wicket.

Play was stopped 50 overs into Queensland’s batting innings after both umpires and captains raised concerns.

Ground staff began immediate remedial work and officials will inspect the wicket tomorrow morning ahead of a scheduled re-commencement at 10am local time.

Player safety is paramount, and Cricket Australia supports the decision taken by the match officials.

Further updates will be provided in due course
 
A confidential phone call between a whistleblower and Cricket Australia’s ex-integrity chief discussing a then-player’s alleged cocaine use and sexual activities has been leaked, exposing serious security flaws in the organisation’s anti-corruption unit.

The recording, sent anonymously to The Sunday Age, is of a call by former Cricket Australia head of integrity Sean Carroll to a woman who describes herself as a high-class escort and provides information that a well-known cricketer should “back it up” or he will end up destroying his career.

In the phone call, the woman makes allegations about the player dancing naked on a balcony, openly using cocaine and cavorting with numerous women.

It is believed the phone call took place several years ago, and the allegations against the unnamed player could not be substantiated. But the existence of the recording years later and the ease at which such recordings can be accessed has led to sports corruption experts warning that there is a risk of players being blackmailed and whistleblowers being deterred from coming forward.

It is unclear how or when the recording was obtained from Cricket Australia. It was sent to The Sunday Age through an encrypted email service from an anonymous address. The player was not identified and The Sunday Age has established that the recording is genuine.

The source of the leak said they wanted to bring attention to what they described as the integrity unit’s “abuse of power” and the lack of security around the handling of information from whistleblowers. The person said they were a former Cricket Australia staffer who wanted to expose flaws in the integrity unit and asked for the matter to be made public.

“There are no rules regarding storage of these recordings, who can listen to them, or how long they should be archived,” the source said.

“There are no policies or procedures in place regarding access, integrity and confidentiality of this material.

“I want to protect members of the public, players and staff from an abuse of power and ensure accountability – I think this behaviour has gone unchecked for far too long.”

In the recording, the woman who contacted Cricket Australia tells Mr Carroll she is surprised at the player’s behaviour given his public profile.

“He needs to back it up a bit, back it up, like deadset seriously back it up because I’m probably doing him a favour if anything,” she says.

“I wouldn’t want to be publicly letting everyone seeing me party and snorting lines.”

The woman tells Mr Carroll there is “probably” video or photos of the player engaging in the reported activities but declines to provide any vision to Cricket Australia.

She says the last time she saw it happen was in the lead-up to Christmas but does not say which year.

“They party a lot these boys,” the woman says.

Cricket Australia was unaware of the leak until an inquiry by The Sunday Age. A spokesman said it had been reported to the Victoria Police Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit, which was providing assistance.

“Cricket Australia takes this matter extremely seriously, which is why we contacted Victoria Police,” the spokesman said.

“We constantly review our systems, and our controls around sensitive information are continually being improved and aligned with best practice.

“We take integrity matters extremely seriously and ensure appropriate action is taken.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police had met with Cricket Australia but was not investigating the matter.

It is the second major leak in two months involving players investigated by Cricket Australia’s integrity unit. In November, former Test captain Tim Paine resigned when his explicit texts sent to a co-worker in 2017 became public on the eve of the Ashes.

Mr Carroll, who investigated the Paine complaint when it was first reported to Cricket Australia, left the organisation in December last year to take up a role as Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner. Cricket Australia’s investigation of the complaint found Paine had not breached its code of conduct.

Sport corruption researcher Adam Masters, a senior lecturer in criminology at Australian National University, said the recording of sensitive information made players vulnerable to blackmail and possible match-fixing.

“The big risk with that sort of information, if it went to organised crime, is you’re looking at problems in places like the sub-continent where organised crime has historically been involved with sport gambling,” Dr Masters said.

“Players are much more aware of approaches by gambling interests and organised crime [than they used to be]. However, something like drug taking and prostitution really opens that blackmail element up in a very broad kind of way.”

Integrity expert Catherine Ordway from the University of Canberra said sporting organisations needed to develop strong whistleblower protections.

Dr Ordway, along with Dr Masters and associate professor Kath Hall, co-authored a report on sport corruption that contributed to the creation of a new national body, Sport Integrity Australia, last year.

“What we found over the last decade is that most major corruption scandals in the world have come through a whistleblowing process,” she said.

“It’s really important that the whistleblowing processes are strong and protected and that people who are providing information through these frameworks have confidence and trust in the system.”

A Cricket Australia spokesman said whistleblowers are encouraged to come forward knowing that the security of confidential information was regularly reviewed.

“We are committed to ensuring cricket is a safe environment for all, and we have no tolerance for any behaviour that compromises the safety or wellbeing of anyone involved in cricket,” the spokesman said.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cri...-sparks-security-warning-20211221-p59j9p.html
 
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley has described damaging allegations surrounding a former player’s off-field conduct as “unsubstantiated”.

The Sunday Age reported on Sunday on an alleged phone call between former Cricket Australia head of integrity Sean Carroll and a “high-class escort”, believed to have taken place “several years ago”.

In a recording of the phone call, the woman claimed she had information that could destroy the “well-known” but unidentified player’s career.

The woman made allegations to Carroll about the player dancing naked on a balcony, openly using cocaine and cavorting with numerous women.

Hockley said CA had reported the leak to authorities.

“I saw the article this morning. Those reports are unsubstantiated,” Hockey told reporters.

“They are historical. Any stealing of confidential information is a crime.

“We have reported it and are getting assistance from Vic Police.

“It’s really important people are able to contact our integrity line in full confidence that it is going to be kept secure.

“Certainly our processes, we review them regularly, to ensure they are absolutely best practice.”

The Sunday Age said the recording was received through an encrypted email service from an anonymous address with the source claiming to be a former CA staffer “who wanted to expose flaws in the integrity unit”.

It is the second bombshell leak to come out about CA in as many months.

Tim Paine resigned as Test captain on the eve of the Ashes, and later stepped away from all forms of cricket, after it was revealed he was investigated for a sexting incident with a Cricket Tasmania colleague in 2017.

The wicketkeeper was cleared by the CA board of any breach of its code of conduct.

Paine was replaced as captain by Pat Cummins and will almost certainly not represent Australia again.

https://7news.com.au/sport/cricket/ca-says-police-called-over-integrity-leak-c-5088240
 
The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee, together with Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), is delighted to announce Raelee Thompson and Justin Langer as the 2022 inductees in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

Thompson and Langer become the 58th and 59th inductees respectively, since the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame was established in 1996.

A left-handed batter hailing from Scarborough Cricket Club in Perth’s north-west, Langer’s toughness and resilience as a cricketer was on display from the beginning of his Test career.

A gritty 54 on debut at the Adelaide Oval in 1993 that saw him hit on the helmet by West Indian fast bowler Ian Bishop signalled a player who relished the challenge of international cricket.

He spent the first years of his career at No.3, including when famously partnering with Adam Gilchrist to chase down 369 to beat Pakistan in Hobart in 1999.

Langer moved to the top of the order in 2001, where he shared in Australia’s most successful opening partnership in Test cricket with Matthew Hayden. The pair compiled 6,081 runs together from 122 Test innings at an average of 51.53, including 14 century stands.

A career built on fighting above his weight, Langer amassed 7,696 runs with a Test average of 45.27.

He also played in eight One Day Internationals in a career spanning 18 years and played first-class cricket for Western Australia, Middlesex and Somerset, scoring 28,382 runs at an average of 50.23.

Following successful stints as coach of WA and Perth Scorchers, Langer was appointed coach of the Australian men’s cricket team in May 2018, and led them to the Men’s ICC 2021 T20 World Cup title and retaining the Ashes in 2019 and 2021-2022.

Raelee Thompson, hailing from Shepparton in Victoria’s north-east, is one of the pioneers of the women’s game.

A fast bowler who played 16 Tests and 23 One Day Internationals for Australia between 1972 and 1985, she captained the team four times. Thompson is the oldest player – male or female – to take a maiden five-wicket haul in Test matches at 39 years and 175 days of age.

Her final Test match in 1985, the fifth and deciding Test match of the 1984-85 Women’s Ashes series played in Bendigo, saw her lead the Australians to reclaim the Women’ Ashes trophy after a 30-year hiatus.

Thompson took 57 Test wickets at an average of 18.24 and 24 One-Day International wickets at 18.66.

Thompson also represented Victoria on 45 occasions before serving as a selector for many years. She has continued mentoring future generations of female cricketers at her home club, Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club and accepted Life Membership from Cricket Victoria in 2018.

Peter King, Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Chairman, said:

“It was wonderful recognition for any cricketer to be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and, on behalf of the committee, it is honour to be inducting two cricketers who sit in the upper echelon of Australian cricket.

“Justin’s contribution to Australian cricket spans across four separate decades. First as a player, as part of one of the most successful teams that world cricket has ever seen. As a coach, he entered the role at a time of great need and leads the Australian Men’s Cricket Team with great distinction, a team which the Australian public is very proud of.

“Raelee is similarly a deserved induction, given her outstanding contribution to the game at a time where there was little fanfare at the elite level. She is no doubt one of our great pioneering female cricketers and represented the Baggy Green with such distinction – she is a worthy recipient of this recognition.”

Todd Greenberg, ACA CEO, said:

“The Australian Cricketers’ Association is humbled to induct two very deserving figures of Australian cricket into the Hall of Fame.

“Justin’s record as a player speaks for itself. His record as an opener underpinned one of the most successful eras of Australian cricket. And his influence on the game has extended beyond his playing career – firstly through his commitment to the betterment of Western Australian cricket which is almost unparalleled, right through to the national team set-up which has convincingly held the Ashes on the back of winning the T20 World Cup for the first time.

“Raelee is an ambassador and ornament to the Women’s game and was part of a team of trailblazing women – including four games as captain – who can be credited for the success that the current-day Australian Women’s Cricket Team enjoys. Raelee’s commitment to the betterment of women’s cricket at all levels through mentoring and administration roles is inspiring.

“To this day she remains a prominent figure in cricket, particularly at Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club where she is a Life Member. She is hugely deserving of her induction.”

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, said:

“Honouring inductees to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame is an important and special moment for the sport. Justin and Raelee are extremely deserving inductees and it is wonderful to acknowledge and celebrate the immense achievements and contributions of these legends of our game.

“Justin has had a tremendous impact on Australian cricket, both at the top of the order alongside Matthew Hayden, as a coach of Western Australia and more recently as Head Coach of the Australian men’s team.

“Raelee has been a leader and champion of cricket as a sport for women and girls through an incredible period of evolution, both as a proud player and captain of her country and continuing that passion towards ensuring that the game continues to progress and flourish for future generations.”

About the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame
The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame was first proposed by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 1995.
With the support of Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria, the Hall of Fame was officially opened by the then Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable John Howard MP in 1996.

The selection philosophy for the hall of fame focuses on the players’ status as sporting legends in addition to their outstanding statistical records.

The selection panel is made up of representatives from all levels of cricket. Chaired by the current MCC Cricket Chairman, three former players are joined by the respective CEOs of Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, along with two representatives from the media.

All inductees must have been retired from international cricket for a minimum of five years to be eligible for selection.

An inaugural group of ten players were inducted in 1996, and a further 47 players have been welcomed since:

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Inducted 1996 - Fred Spofforth, John Blackham, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford, Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall and Dennis Lillee
Inducted 2000 - Warwick Armstrong, Neil Harvey and Allan Border
Inducted 2001 - Bill Woodfull and Arthur Morris
Inducted 2002 - Stan McCabe and Greg Chappell
Inducted 2003 - Lindsay Hassett and Ian Chappell
Inducted 2004 - Hugh Trumble and Alan Davidson
Inducted 2005 - Clem Hill and Rod Marsh
Inducted 2006 - Monty Noble and Bob Simpson
Inducted 2007 - Charles Macartney and Richie Benaud
Inducted 2008 - George Giffen and Ian Healy
Inducted 2009 - Steve Waugh
Inducted 2010 - Bill Lawry and Graham McKenzie
Inducted 2011 - Mark Taylor and Doug Walters
Inducted 2012 - Shane Warne
Inducted 2013 - Charlie Turner and Glenn McGrath
Inducted 2014 - Mark Waugh and Belinda Clark
Inducted 2015 - Adam Gilchrist and Jack Ryder
Inducted 2016 - Jeff Thomson and Wally Grout
Inducted 2017 - David Boon, Matthew Hayden and Betty Wilson
Inducted 2018 - Norm O’Neill, Ricky Ponting and Karen Rolton
Inducted 2019 - Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Dean Jones and Billy Murdoch
Inducted 2020 - Sharon Tredrea and Craig McDermott
Inducted 2021 - Johnny Mullagh, Merv Hughes and Lisa Sthalekar
Inducted 2022 – Justin Langer and Raelee Thompson

SELECTION PANEL

ACHOF chairman and current MCC committee member Peter King
Former Test captain Belinda Clark
Former Test captain Mark Taylor
Former Test batsman and former MCC President Paul Sheahan
Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO Todd Greenberg
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley
Media representatives Ben Horne and Greg Baum
 
Allrounder Ashleigh Gardner and prolific fast bowler Mitchell Starc are maiden Belinda Clark and Allan Border medallists respectively, having been awarded the top honours in Australian cricket

Both are first-time recipients of their respective accolade as voted by their peers, umpires and the media across all forms and every game of international cricket over the past 12 months.

Gardner’s ultra-consistent season with both bat and ball was fittingly rewarded with the Belinda Clark Award.

Across 10 innings Gardner struck 281 runs at an average of 35.1 that included four half centuries and a top score of 73 not out in a memorable T20 win against New Zealand in Hamilton.

A valuable asset in the field, Gardner’s off-spin broke through for nine wickets, two shy of Sophie Molineux’s year-leading 11.

The quintessential allrounder, Gardner finished the voting period inside Australia’s top three run scorers and top five wicket takers across all formats.

Gardner won her first Belinda Clark Award with 54 votes from Beth Mooney (47) and Alyssa Healy (39) who finished second and third respectively in the voting.

Starc has enjoyed a sensational year of international cricket and captured a combined 43 wickets at an average of 24.4 across all formats, 12 clear of the nation’s next best.

The left-arm quick was crowned the Male ODI Player of the Year following dominant performances in the three-match series against the West Indies which included a haul of 5-48 in the opening game.

One of the best pink-ball bowlers in the game, Starc thrived in the Vodafone Ashes series and amassed 19 wickets at 25.36 with a best of 4-37 in the first innings of the Day-Night Test in Adelaide.

Starc also scored 241 runs across all formats at an average 26.8 to sit inside Australia’s top 10 run scorers over the past 12 months.

Starc (107 votes) outpolled T20 World Cup hero Mitchell Marsh (106) by a single vote to win the Allan Border Medal while batter Travis Head was third in the polling with 72 votes.

For the third consecutive year Healy claimed top honours as the Female One-Day International Player of the Year with 13 votes ahead of Rachael Haynes (10) and Megan Schutt (10).

Top-order batter Mooney took out the Female T20 Player of the Year with 13 votes, ahead of Tahlia McGrath (10) and Gardner (6).

South Australian batsman Head’s outstanding Vodafone Ashes Series secured him the Male Test Player of the Year.

It is the latest in a string of honours for Head this summer, who was crowned the Miller/Compton Medallist as Player of the Series in Australia’s victorious Ashes campaign.

The left-hander struck 357 runs at an average of 59.50 in the Ashes and, alongside Usman Khawaja, was the only player to register multiple centuries in the series.

Allrounder Marsh (53 votes) capped a stellar year by being voted the Male T20 International Player of the Year ahead of Josh Hazlewood (29) and Ashton Agar (26).

Marsh compiled 627 runs at 36.9 during the voting period and was instrumental in Australia’s first ever victorious T20 World Cup campaign, scoring an unbeaten 77 from 50 balls to be named Player of the Match in the final.

Elyse Villani and Darcie Brown took the prized Female Domestic Player of the Year and Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year awards respectively.

Villani scored four centuries and 1,050 runs in 21 games at an average of 61.8, while Brown’s 30 wickets across all competitions during the voting period reinforced her enormous potential.

South Australian captain Head was also voted Male Domestic Player of the Year with 902 runs at 50.1 in all forms of the game, while Tim Ward was named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year for his 506 runs at 46 throughout the year.

ACT Meteor Zoe Cooke was named Community Champion for her work to support, promote and advocate for the women’s game in the ACT through coaching and mentoring roles, particularly in the pathway system.

In addition to the volunteer roles she plays within community cricket, Zoe also puts her hand up for several other charitable causes such as the Grizzly Bear Adoption Program for the World Wildlife Foundation, One Foot Forward challenge for Black Dog Institute and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The awards for international cricket are based on votes from players, umpires and the media on a 3-2-1 basis from each match.

For the domestic awards, the votes are collected from all players.

To be eligible for the Young Cricketer of the Year awards, players must be 24 years or less prior to the commencement of the award period and have not won the award previously.

Prior to the award period, male players must have played 10 or less first-class matches and 25 or less combined List A and BBL matches and female players 25 or less matches.

Award winners
• Belinda Clark Award – Ashleigh Gardner
• Allan Border Medal – Mitchell Starc
• Female ODI Player of the Year – Alyssa Healy
• Female T20I Player of the Year – Beth Mooney
• Male Test Player of the Year – Travis Head
• Male ODI Player of the Year – Mitchell Starc
• Male T20I Player of the Year – Mitchell Marsh
• Female Domestic Player of the Year – Elyse Villani
• Male Domestic Player of the Year – Travis Head
• Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year – Darcie Brown
• Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year – Tim Ward
• Community Champion Award – Zoe Cooke
• Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inductees – Raelee Thompson and Justin Langer

Belinda Clark Award
Ashleigh Gardner (54 votes)
2nd: Beth Mooney (47 votes)
3rd: Alyssa Healy (39 votes)

Allan Border Medal
Mitchell Starc (107 votes)
2nd: Mitchell Marsh (106 votes)
3rd: Travis Head (72 votes)

Female ODI Player of the Year
Alyssa Healy (13 votes)
2nd: Rachael Haynes/Megan Schutt (10 votes)

Female T20 International Player of the Year
Beth Mooney (13 votes)
2nd: Tahlia McGrath (10 votes)
3rd: Ashleigh Gardner (6 votes)

Male Test Player of the Year
Travis Head (12 votes)
2nd: Scott Boland (10 votes)
3rd: Mitchell Starc (7 votes)

Male ODI Player of the Year
Mitchell Starc (15 votes)
2nd: Matthew Wade (6 votes)
3rd: Adam Zampa/Alex Carey (4 votes)

Male T20 International Player of the Year
Mitchell Marsh (53 votes)
2nd: Josh Hazlewood (29 votes)
3rd: Ashton Agar (26 votes)
 
Dr Lachlan Henderson has been elected as the new chair of the board of directors of Cricket Australia (CA).

Dr Henderson, who will commence immediately, signalled his first priorities would be ensuring a strong, sustainable financial future for cricket, increased participation, particularly among girls and women, improved consultation with state and territory chairs and all stakeholders, and continuing to drive high standards of behaviour across the game.

The appointment follows a thorough process that involved a leading recruitment firm and considered a range of internal and external candidates.

It included consultation with the boards of all state and territory cricket associations, which were invited to provide feedback on suitable candidates and their views regarding the requirements of the role.

Following interviews with a short-list of candidates, the CA board was unanimous in its decision to elect Dr Henderson as chair.

All state and territory chairs expressed their support for Dr Henderson’s election.

Dr Henderson has extensive experience in cricket, including having played in state junior teams for WA and first grade in Perth, been chair of the Western Australian Cricket Association and a director at CA for the past three years.

During his time with WA Cricket, Dr Henderson played a significant role in developing strategies to drive growth in the game, including the development of Perth Stadium and the WACA Ground Improvement Project.

He is a highly successful executive, having been Group Chief Executive of Epworth HealthCare since 2017 and working in the healthcare industry for the past 30 years, including 20 years in corporate leadership roles.

Richard Freudenstein will step down as interim chair with immediate effect. Mr Freudenstein, who has been interim chair since October last year, will remain on the CA board as a director.

As part of the ongoing board renewal process, the Cricket Australia nominations committee (comprising representatives of the CA board and state chairs) will commence the search for a new independent director.

Mr Freudenstein said: “I am delighted that Lachlan has been elected chair and would like to congratulate him on his appointment.

“Lachlan’s extensive cricket administrative experience and impressive business background, leadership qualities, financial experience and deep understanding of the game ensures that cricket has a new chair who will continue to build unity, trust and respect across all levels of our national sport.

“He brings a combination of fresh ideas, a clear plan and broad experience together with continuity to the position, having served as a CA director for the past three years.

“The short-list of candidates for this role was outstanding but it was the unanimous opinion of the CA board that Lachlan was best suited to be our next chair.”

Dr Henderson said: “I would like to thank Richard, the other CA directors and the state chairs and boards for their support.

“It is a privilege and honour to be elected chair and serve our national sport.

“I’m really excited by the opportunities ahead. The CA board is relatively new, with seven of the nine members having been on the board for less than three and a half years, and the imminent appointment of a new independent director will bring further fresh ideas and perspectives to the board.

“My love of cricket began as a kid growing up in Perth and the game has always been a big part of my life, as a player, through my involvement with WA Cricket, the board of Cricket Australia and now as the elected chair.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with our states and territory cricket chairs and associations, the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), our players and our partners, on how we unite and work together to ensure cricket continues to thrive into the future as Australia’s favourite sport.

“As chair, my aim is to ensure the integrity and growth of the game in Australia with strong governance embedded at Cricket Australia and reflected in all levels of cricket, from elite teams to community clubs.

“Among my other main priorities will be a focus on a strong, sustainable financial future for the game and building on the growth in our participation rates, particularly among girls and women, and our multi-cultural communities.”

Dr Henderson biography:

Dr Lachlan Henderson is the Group Chief Executive of Epworth HealthCare, the largest private hospital group in Victoria operating across 10 locations and employing over 7000 staff.

Prior to moving to Melbourne to join Epworth in January 2017, Lachlan had nearly two decades of senior executive and CEO experience in the private hospital sector in Western Australia.

He is also a qualified medical practitioner and worked as a GP prior to embarking on a career as a healthcare executive.

Critical to his success in these roles has been a focus on developing people and organisational culture while enhancing clinical and commercial outcomes.

Lachlan is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and is the current President of the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA).

In 2018, Lachlan was appointed to the board of Cricket Australia, having previously been a board member of the Western Australian Cricket Association from 2013-2016, the last two years as chairman.

A former state junior representative for WA at U/16 and U/19 levels, Lachlan represented both Perth and University Cricket Clubs in the 1st Grade competition in the 1980s.
 
Australian Cricket launches five-year strategic plan

Cricket Australia has released a new five-year strategic plan for Australian Cricket designed to enhance the game’s long-term financial sustainability, significantly increase participation and ensure cricket remains at the heart of Australian life.

'Where the Game Grows' is underpinned by the ultimate belief that cricket is truly a game for all; one that has incredible power to bring people together and benefit society, both on and off the field.

It celebrates and respects cricket’s proud history while looking positively towards the future, seeking to drive bold, transformative change in digital experiences, junior participation, inclusion, gender equality, sustainability, reimagining the W/BBL, connection through storytelling and playing a part in developing the game globally.

Four interrelated strategic pillars containing ten strategic priorities have been developed through extensive consultation with thousands of fans and hundreds of other stakeholders from all parts of cricket.

Those four pillars - Brilliant Experiences, Participation Growth, Inspirational Players and Teams and Sustainable Future – reflect Australian Cricket’s priorities to strengthen the engagement between fans and players, continue to produce world class teams, entrench a strong and innovative business model and establish a framework for the game’s positive social impact.

‘Where The Game Grows’ also sets the ambitious target of doubling the number of kids aged 5 to 12 registered to play cricket to 210,000 and increasing the number of girls registered in this age group to 60,000 over the next five years, contributing towards an overall registered participation target of more than 850,000.

Dr Lachlan Henderson, Cricket Australia Chair, said:

“We are delighted to present the new five-year strategic plan for Australian Cricket. This plan comes at a critical time as we seek to ensure our national sport grows and continues to flourish.

“It is important to recognise the firm footing on which cricket stands thanks to the efforts of those who have come before us and our players, match officials, staff and partners. The new strategy is informed by the knowledge and passion of those invested in cricket’s future and reflects our shared ambition.

“Australian Cricket has embraced the opportunity the game provides to bring people and communities together as a Sport for All that makes Australians proud. This new strategy will ensure we maximise the resources and opportunities to realise this ambition.”

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer said:

“We are exceptionally proud of the way Australian Cricket has continued to innovate and grow and particularly how it has met the vast challenges of the pandemic. This gives us even greater confidence that we can deliver on the ambitious priorities set out in the new five-year strategic plan.

“Cricket is rapidly evolving and, with that, so too are the ways cricket is played, watched and consumed. This strategy contains both a vision and a clear plan for how we can achieve bold, transformative change while also meeting our core responsibilities.

"This includes ensuring that cricket has a positive social impact, whether by providing more opportunities for women and girls, making the game more accessible to participants from culturally diverse backgrounds or taking the necessary steps to make the game environmentally sustainable.”

“As we look towards the future, I would like to thank everyone across the game for their passion and commitment as we work to unite and inspire everyone to love and play cricket and in so doing make cricket a sport for all that makes Australians proud.”
 
Cricket Australia announces annual results

Cricket Australia (CA) today released its Annual Report for 2021-22.

In the 2021-22 financial year, CA reported a net deficit of $5.1 million with significant factors including the costs of staging cricket throughout the pandemic and a challenging UK media rights market impacting this result.

Australian Cricket devised its new five-year strategy Where the Game Grows including four key pillars for the game’s future prosperity – Brilliant Experiences, Inspirational Players and Teams, Participation Growth and Sustainable Future.

The Australian men’s team won the home Ashes series 4-0, won the ICC T20 World Cup and toured Pakistan for the first time in almost 24 years, as well as fulfilling its commitment to tour Sri Lanka at a time of significant economic hardship in that country.

The Australian women’s team won the ICC Women’s World Cup, the multi-format home Ashes series and was ranked No.1 in ODI and T20I cricket.

KFC BBL11 was the most watched sports league in Australia on a per-game linear TV basis with 506,000 viewers, while every game of the Weber WBBL07 season was televised making it the most watched WBBL ever.

Despite COVID-19, participation and retention rates in community cricket remained robust with total registered participation increasing by 11% to 598,931. The growth of women and girls cricket continued with registered female participation increasing by 12,000 to 71,300.

CA completed a record rights agreement with Disney Star to televise international cricket and the W/BBL in India and other regions, emphasising the enduring global value of the summer of Australian cricket.

The new ICC Future Tours Program was released including a five-Test home series against India putting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the same standing as the Ashes and multi-format women’s series against India and South Africa as well as England.

Further context around the financial result:

CA again prioritised the need to deliver an almost full schedule of international cricket and W/BBL leagues on behalf of the players, State and Territory Associations and broadcast and commercial partners.

A year-on-year reduction in total revenue of $14.3 million to $391 million was driven by a reduction in international media rights, partly offset by increased match revenues due to the popularity of the Ashes and improved Covid conditions.

The overall result was also boosted by a reduction in expenses, driven mainly by lower biosecurity costs than last year, the operation of the player revenue share model and strong cost controls.

CA’s funding to States and Territory Associations increased by $9.5 million to $112.7 million.

Today’s Annual General Meeting voted in favour of the re-election of John Harnden as a Director and the election of David Maddocks as a Director.

Clea Smith, a former Australian women’s international and current chief executive of The Mind Space, has been appointed to the CA Board as an Independent Director.

Dr Lachlan Henderson, Cricket Australia Chair, said:

“We are again delighted by the spirit of collaboration demonstrated by everyone across cricket including the State and Territory Associations, the players, stadium operators and our various broadcast, commercial and government partners in confronting the challenges the game has faced throughout the global pandemic.

“While there is no doubt these conditions have created financial pressure, we are confident Australian Cricket has set a strong platform from which to bring our new five-year strategy to life.

“We acknowledge that this is a time of considerable change for cricket with the emergence of different formats and competitions across the world, as well as new commercial and partnership opportunities. As an organisation we will confidently embrace the future, while ensuring all our decisions benefit everyone from our elite players through to grassroots participants and volunteers.

“We are enormously proud of the incredible success our women’s and men’s teams have enjoyed over the past year and, particularly, the way they have embraced their roles as ambassadors for Australian Cricket.

“We also owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the hard work and resilience of the community clubs and volunteers who have kept participation and retention rates strong despite the extra burdens created by COVID-19 and, in some areas, devastating floods.

“I would again like to thank Michelle Tredenick and Mel Jones for their outstanding contributions on the Board.”

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, said:

“So much has been achieved this year – whether on-field with Ashes success, World Cup triumphs and historic tours away, or off-field with progress to launch our next strategic plan, confirming the Future Tours Program, innovations in the Big Bash Leagues such as the inaugural BBL Draft and exciting new partnerships across our commercial program.

“I am extremely grateful and proud of the many people across Australian Cricket whose hard work and sacrifices ensured we continued to deliver cricket on behalf of our players, fans, commercial and broadcast partners and communities, in the most challenging of circumstances.

“The financial pressures experienced across the past two years have required focus and discipline to deliver efficiency measures and cost savings. I am particularly grateful to our players, match officials and staff who have worked tirelessly despite the added pressure and disruption these measures have sometimes created.

“While cricket suffered some financial headwinds with added biosecurity costs and reduced match revenue, our partnerships with the players, broadcasters, commercial and government partners again demonstrated what can be achieved when we work together and we believe a great platform has been set for future collaboration.

“Entering a summer that features the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, a record six international touring teams and the energised W/BBL, I am confident the hard work done over the past season, as well as our new five-year strategic plan, has us well placed to achieve our goal of making cricket a sport for all that makes Australians proud.”
 
CA Code of Conduct Change

Cricket Australia (CA) has amended its Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel after a review by the CA Head of Integrity.

The CA Board requested a Code of Conduct review at its October board meeting. The recommendations from this review have been accepted and given formal approval.

Under the changes, players and support staff can now apply to have long-term sanctions modified.

Any applications will be considered by a three-person Review Panel, comprising independent Code of Conduct Commissioners, which must be satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist to justify modifying a sanction.

These circumstances and considerations will include whether the subject of the sanction has demonstrated genuine remorse; the subject’s conduct and behaviour since the imposition of the sanction; whether rehabilitation programs have been completed undertaken (if applicable) and the length of time that has passed since the sanction was imposed and whether sufficient time has passed to allow for reform or rehabilitation.

The code of conduct states this process: “Acknowledges that Players and Player Support Personnel are capable of genuine reform or rehabilitation and is intended to provide the Player or Player Support Personnel with an opportunity to resume their previously held positions or responsibilities in specific circumstances.”

The hearing of an application is not an appeal, or a review of the original sanction imposed.
 
CA Chair to Step Down

Dr Lachlan Henderson has announced he will step down as CA Chair due to work commitments.

Dr Henderson will relinquish the role of CA Chair in mid-February and remain on the CA Board.

Current CA Board member Mike Baird will assume the position at that time following unanimous endorsement from CA Directors and State and Territory Chairs.

Dr Henderson said:

“The new role I’ve taken in my home city Perth will make it difficult to devote the time required as Chair, so I have decided this is the right time to hand over the role.

“It’s been a great privilege to serve as Chair and to help oversee some of the great work being done by the CA executive and across Australian Cricket.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Mike, my fellow CA Board members and all those striving to nurture and grow the game of cricket.”

Mike Baird said:

“Lachlan has made a great contribution as Chair and I’m delighted he will continue to provide his considerable business and cricket expertise on the CA Board.

“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.”
 
Beth Mooney and Steve Smith have capped prolific years with the bat to take out top honours at the Australian Cricket Awards held in Sydney tonight.

Mooney claimed her second Belinda Clark Award, following a season where across three formats she amassed 976 runs at an average of 65.1 and a strike-rate of 102.6.

The 29- year-old also took out the Women’s ODI Player of the Year, which included Australia’s 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup triumph in New Zealand, where Mooney scored an unbeaten 62 off 47 balls in the final.

Tahlia McGrath was voted the Women’s T20I Player of the Year after an incredible 12 months in the shortest format. McGrath averaged 62.14 with the bat and just 12.84 with the ball across the voting period, in which the Australian team lost only one match.

In the final Belinda Clark Medal tally, Mooney polled 129 votes, ahead of runner-up Meg Lanning (110) and Tahlia McGrath (95) in third place.

Smith joined Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting as the only players to win the Allan Border Medal four times, following a season where the 33-year-old scored 1547 runs in 32 matches across all three formats at an average 55.3. More than half of these runs were scored in the Test arena, where he amassed 863 at an average of 71.92.

In the final Allan Border Medal tally, Smith (171 votes) outpolled Travis Head (144 votes) and David Warner (141 votes).

Usman Khawaja took out the Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year Award, following an incredible return to the Australian team. Khawaja scored 1020 runs in the voting period at an average of 78.46, including three centuries.

In addition to being the leading run-scorer in men’s Test Cricket for Australia in 2022, Khawaja’s off-field contributions also earned him recognition with the Community Impact Award. The Australian opener’s Usman Khawaja Foundation helps young people from disadvantaged communities by providing educational and cricketing opportunities.

Warner claimed his third Men’s ODI Player of Year, after scoring 552 runs at the top of the order at an average of 42.5. Warner scored four half-centuries and one hundred in 13 matches.

Marcus Stoinis took out the Men’s T20 International Player of the Year for the first time, with the all-rounder striking at an incredible 168.5 within the voting period. In addition to his 347 runs at an average of 31.6, Stoinis also claimed eight wickets.

Australia’s top domestic cricketers were also acknowledged with Queensland’s Michael Neser and Victoria’s Annabel Sutherland taking out the Men’s and Women’s Domestic Player of the Year Awards, which includes matches in all formats.

Adelaide Strikers’ Matt Short won the KFC BBL|12 Player of the Year Award, while Ashleigh Gardiner from the Sydney Sixers was the Weber WBBL|08 Player of the Year Award winner.

Full List of Award winners

Belinda Clark Award – Beth Mooney (129 votes)
2nd: Meg Lanning (110 votes)
3rd: Tahlia McGrath (95 votes)

Allan Border Medal – Steve Smith (171 votes)
Travis Head (144 votes)
David Warner (141 votes)

Women’s ODI Player of the Year – Beth Mooney
Women’s T20I Player of the Year – Tahlia McGrath
Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year – Usman Khawaja
Men’s ODI Player of the Year – David Warner
Men’s T20I Player of the Year – Marcus Stoinis
Women’s Domestic Player of the Year – Annabel Sutherland
Men’s Domestic Player of the Year – Michael Neser
Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year – Courtney Sippel
Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year – Lance Morris
Community Champion Award – Usman Khawaja
Woolworths Cricket Blaster of the Year – Mabel Tovey
Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inductees – Marg Jennings and Ian Redpath
 
More fans attended cricket in Australia than any previous season on record with 2,400,755 coming through the turnstiles during the 2022-23 season.

The result surpasses the previous record of 2,349,326, which was set in the Ashes season of 2017/18 and includes Men's and Women's Internationals, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and the W/BBL.

In addition to the attendance record, there was growth in broadcast and streaming viewing figures, with a total cumulative audience of 44.45 million consuming 238.72 million viewer hours of coverage throughout the season.

The KFC BBL delivered an 11% increase in viewership across all platforms, consolidating the league’s position as Australia’s most-watched league of any sport on an average audience per game basis. The KFC BBL Final between the Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat was watched by an average audience of over 1.3 million, representing a 30% increase on the previous year’s decider.

The success of the T20 World Cup and Weber WBBL meant more cricket was watched in October than in any previous season, with a 31% increase in audience year-on-year.

Demonstrating the enduring popularity of the national game, 24 Men’s Test Match sessions were watched by an average audience of over 1m nationally.

Following Series 1 of The Test on Prime Video – which remains their most successful Australian docuseries ever – Series 2 was released in January and has been streamed millions of times in Australia and around the world.

Cricket’s popularity with fans was also reflected on social media with Cricket Australia’s channels attracting 485.33 million video views and 93.31 million engagements across the domestic season.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said:

“Following two challenging seasons due to the pandemic, we are absolutely thrilled that more fans have attended cricket matches this season than ever before. This record-breaking 2022/23 season reflects the support for the T20 World Cup, the performances of the Australian women’s and men’s teams and the popularity of the Big Bash Leagues. These numbers demonstrate the passion of cricket fans of all ages and the massive reach that the game enjoys as our national sport.

“With the Future Tours Program and long-term partnerships with broadcasters Foxtel Group and Seven West Media confirmed, we are more focussed than ever on delivering brilliant experiences for fans in 2023/24 and beyond.

“I’d like to thank all our fans, players, broadcast, commerical and government partners, venues and staff for making it such a record-breaking season.”
 
Women Cricketers big winners from new MOU

Cricket reaffirms its status as the most lucrative team sport for Australian women, with a 66% increase in payments to professional women cricketers.

A major increase in women’s remuneration is a key plank of a new five-year MOU between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) announced today.

Under the agreement, women players will share in $133 million (increased from $80 million in the previous agreement) rewarding members of Australia’s world champion team while significantly increasing the value of WBBL and State contracts.

As part of the new deal:

The top CA contract holder who also holds a WBBL contract can now earn more than $800,000 a year – with the capacity to break the $1 million mark with further earnings in the Women’s Premier League (India) and The Hundred (UK).
The next six CA contract holders will have the potential to earn on average $500,000 when combined with a WBBL retainer as well as the other earnings opportunities above.
The minimum and average CA Women’s contracts will increase 25%.
The number of Women’s CA contracts will increase from 15 to 18 and all of those holding contracts will now be recognised as full-time athletes.

Dual Format Domestic Female Players

Under the deal, domestic players who do not play for Australia, who play both WNCL (50 over) and WBBL (T20) formats can earn on average $151,019 annually (inclusive of match fees).

This makes them on average the highest-paid female players of team sports in Australia by a significant margin.

WBBL Salary Cap Doubling

The substantial increase in women’s earnings extends through to the domestic game with the WBBL salary cap per team doubling to more than $732,000 each year.

The top WBBL players can now earn up to $133,000, (including superannuation).
The average WBBL player retainer will also double from approximately $26,900 to close to $54,200. The minimum WBBL retainer will jump by 30%.

These players are also able to earn additional income in the WPL and The Hundred.
The States (and the ACT) will have the ability to offer two additional contracts, increasing the number available to 16. There will be up to 130 contracts available across the national team and States and Territories and another 120 WBBL contracts.

The increases in payments and contracts for women cricketers reflect the shared ambition of CA and the ACA to reward professional women players, provide a pathway to full-time professionalism and to inspire more girls to pursue a career in cricket.

Further Parental Leave Advances

Australian cricket’s world-leading Parental Leave Policy has been further improved. Not only does it provide guaranteed contracts and retainers while a player is on parental leave, but now also offers further payment to help cover match fees foregone. Flexibility and supports have also been introduced for players who are parents of the same child.

Retaining the international competitiveness of the BBL

The new agreement also recognises the competitive environment in which the BBL now operates by allowing for an increase in the annual Total Payment Pool from $2 million to $3 million per team.

The increase means:

The top BBL players will now be able to earn approx $420,000 – helping to ensure the BBL attracts and retains the best players.
Average BBL retainers increase by more than 50% in 2023-24 to approximately $167,000, with the minimum retainer to increase by more than 20%.

CA Men

The number of CA Men’s contracts will increase from 17-20 to 20-24 recognising the number of players now selected across various formats, with the value of those contracts to increase 7.5% in the first year and 2% p/a thereafter to an average $951,000 plus match payments and super in 2023-24.

Wellbeing and Retirement Support

Approx $20m will be allocated to player wellbeing and Player Development Managers across CA, States and the ACT and a further $20m will be paid to the players’ retirement fund.

CA CEO, Nick Hockley said:

“We are delighted to have reached an agreement on behalf of Australian Cricket that fairly rewards professional cricketers, while aligning with our strategy to grow and nurture the game at all levels.

"I am particularly pleased this MOU represents another major step forward in the rise of women’s cricket, with significant increases in remuneration for the inspirational role models of the world champion Australian Women’s team and the WBBL who are driving substantial growth in female participation.

"Cricket now clearly offers the best earning opportunities of any team sport for elite female sportspeople.


"At the same time, we have recognised the need to ensure that the BBL remains highly competitive in a changing global cricket landscape and we’re confident this agreement will help maintain its place at the heart of the Australian summer.

"These negotiations were conducted in a constructive spirit of partnership and with the best interests of the game at heart. I would like to sincerely thank the ACA board, executive and members for helping to achieve a great outcome for cricket.”

ACA CEO, Todd Greenberg said:

“There is a commitment by all parties in cricket to grow the game – which is what fundamentally underlines the revenue share agreement. We believe that the outcome from this new deal lays the foundation for that growth.

“There is enormous capacity for growth right across the women’s game, as well as the BBL, both of which we believe have enormous untapped potential.

“Our men and women will benefit from significant investment into the BBL and WBBL, which will help ensure we have the best players playing – something that is fundamental to the success of any sporting competition.

“Importantly, we have hardwired into the MOU a mechanism that will identify and act on opportunities to further progress the women’s game during the course of the MOU through a Women's Cricket Working Group".

Significant features of the new MOU include:

Total Revenue Share

Professional players will share $634 million over five years – a 26% increase from an equivalent value ($502 million) shared under the current agreement – plus a performance pool of $57 million. 
The 30% player share of agreed revenue has been maintained, 2.5% of which is performance based.

Women’s Cricket

There will be a total increase of 66% in payments to women cricketers to $133 million over five years – increased from $80 million under the previous agreement.
The number of CA Women’s contracts has been increased from 12-15 to 15-18.
The WBBL Total Payment Pool will double from $366,000 pa to $732,000 and total WBBL player payments will increase from $3.7 million in 2022-23 to $7 million 2023-24.
There will be two further contracts per State and Territory meaning there will be up to 130 women’s contracts available across national teams, the WBBL and State and Territories.
Players with a State (or ACT) and WBBL contract will earn an average of $151,019 per-season (including up to $25,000 match fees and super) - increased from $96,000 in 2022-23 (in turn increased from $55,000 in 2017-18).

Men’s Cricket

The number of CA Men’s contracts will increase from 17-20 to 20-24.
The value of CA Men’s contracts will increase by 7.5% plus 2% per annum to an average of $951,000 plus match payments and super in 2023-24 and rising to more than $1 million in 2026-27.
The BBL Total Payment Pool will increase from $2 million to $3 million, ensuring competitiveness with other global T20 leagues.
BBL total player payments will increase from $18.6 million in 2022-23 to $27.6 million in 2023-24. 
Average BBL per-game payment (including retainer and match fee) will increase 113% from $7,815 in 2022-23 to $16,667.
The number of men’s State contracts remains at 17-20, with a gradual increase in remuneration (3.5% in the first year, increasing the average retainer to more than $103,000, and 2% per year thereafter).
 
Australian Men's contracted players for 2023-24

Cricket Australia has announced a list of 24 men’s players to be offered national contracts for 2023-24.

The MOU between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketer’s Association, announced on Monday, states that between 20 and 24 male players are eligible to be contracted.

Cricket Australia contracted men’s players 2023-24:

Sean Abbott (NSW/Parramatta District Cricket Club)
Ashton Agar (WA/University Cricket Club)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club)
Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Marcus Harris (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)
Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Glenn Maxwell (VIC/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club)
Lance Morris (WA/Scarborough Cricket Club)
Todd Murphy (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)
Michael Neser (QLD/Gold Coast District Cricket Club)
Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Marcus Stoinis (WA/Subiaco Floreat Cricket Club)
David Warner (NSW/Randwick Petersham Cricket Club)
Adam Zampa (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)

Todd Murphy and Sean Abbott received upgrades during last year and have received offers for the upcoming year. An additional four players who did not hold a CA contract last year– Michael Neser, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, and Marcus Harris – have been offered a contract for the upcoming year.

Men’s Chair of National Selectors George Bailey said: “There has been some outstanding individual and team performances through the past 12 months. Equally, we have been extremely impressed with the emergence of some players who are knocking on the door of Australian selection across all three formats.

“Two huge challenges in the Test arena in The World Test Championship and the Ashes are on our doorstep followed soon after by the ICC One-Day World Cup.

"We have chosen a group of players we expect will form the majority of those two campaigns and we know that we will need a squad mentality to achieve success.

“As we find each year now, there is a lot of cricket in the next six to 12 months and our depth will be tested. The six Test matches during the winter are in relatively short succession and we have a busy period of white ball cricket leading up to, and post, the ODI World Cup.

“The NSP support and endorse the change to the MOU agreement which allows further scope for additional contracts which in turn creates additional depth to call on in the next period, as well as retaining the ability to utilise others from outside of this list.”

Matthew Wade, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Matthew Kuhnemann received upgrades during the year but have not been offered a CA contract in 2023/24.

Coming off contract are Aaron Finch (retired from international cricket) and Mitchell Swepson.

Players not awarded contracts as part of the initial squad of 24 can earn upgrades throughout the year by accruing 12 upgrade points. Players receive five points for a Test match, two for a One-Day International and two for a T20 International.
 
Busy summer including Pakistan's tour

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Cricket Australia (CA) today released its Annual Report for 2022-23.

In the 2022-23 financial year, CA reported a net loss of $16.9 million driven by an expected low point in our revenue cycle with lower media rights and match revenues during a non-Ashes year.

Strategic investment was made in the Big Bash Leagues including significant pay increases and the implementation of the first player drafts to ensure the leagues retained their status among the world’s best T20 competitions in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

CA signed a $1.512 billion seven-year media rights deal with the Foxtel Group and the Seven West Media to broadcast cricket in Australia from 2024-31 and a new seven-year deal with Disney Star for the right to broadcast Australian cricket in India helping to underpin the game’s long-term financial security.

Australian Cricket negotiated a five-year MOU with the Australian Cricketers’ Association that included an overall increase from $80 million to $133 million in payments to contracted women’s players over the life of the agreement.

Australian Cricket completed the “secure” phase of the five-year strategy ensuring the foundations of the game were strong. It now embarks on the “enhance” phase in which it will seek to fast-track growth in areas including commercial revenue, participation and attendances.

The Australian men’s team won home series against the West Indies and South Africa, won its first ICC World Test Championship and retained the Ashes after a drawn 2-2 away series.

The Australian women’s team won home series against Pakistan, an ODI series in India, the ICC Women’s World Cup in South Africa, the Commonwealth Games gold medal and retained the Ashes in the multi-format series in England.

Australia’s successfully hosted the T20 World Cup bringing enormous crowds to stadiums including 92,000 for the match between India and Pakistan at the MCG - informing Australian Cricket’s strategy to engage multicultural communities.

CA received a $43m dividend for hosting the T20 World Cup emphasising the financial benefits of bringing ICC events here.

There was a record distribution of funds allowing stakeholders including State and Territory Associations to continue their leading role in the development of the game.

KFC BBL11 was the again the most watched sports league in Australia on a per-game linear TV basis with an average 532,000 viewers, while the return of full crowds to venues included a sold-out crowd of 53,866 for the final between the Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat at Perth Stadium.

With full seasons played registered participation rates in community cricket continued to return to near record pre-COVID rates with an increase from 598,931 to 627,693.

Registered participation for Woolworths Cricket Blast increased by 24% from 56,464 to 69,879 and more than 25,000 girls aged 5-12 registered to play cricket as Australian Cricket continued its strategy to double the number of 5-12 year-olds playing cricket over five years.

Further context around the financial result:

Despite not being an Ashes year, total revenue increased by 9% due to the strong financial performance of the T20 World Cup which delivered a $43m dividend to Australian Cricket.

The upside in the T20 World Cup performance has driven an increase in the player revenue share and a sharing of upside with the States and Territories, with funding at an all-time high level increasing by $7m to $120m

Total expenses excluding player payments increased by 5% reflecting full delivery of programs, higher travel costs post Covid and investments in the Big Bash League and the new grassroots cricket system.

Directors Vanessa Guthrie, Richard Freudenstein, Mike Baird and Paul Green whose terms were due to end were all re-elected to the CA Board.

Mike Baird, Cricket Australia Chair, said:

“This has been a year of high achievement for Australian Cricket with the completion of the media rights deal, the MOU and other significant initiatives putting the game on a strong footing, while our national teams again performed brilliantly on the global stage.

“Cricket has reached an important moment with the continued emergence of franchise cricket creating both significant challenges and enormous opportunities as interest in our sport grows.

“As a global leader, we believe CA is well placed to play a strong role in shaping the future of cricket including fulfilling our commitment to the primacy of Test cricket and maximising the benefits of our status as an Olympic sport to broaden the game’s horizons.

“At the same time, the achievements of the past year have put us in a strong position to fully exploit the commercial opportunities available to cricket as Australia’s national game and, as importantly, to nurture grassroots cricket.

“We are grateful to the State and Territory Associations who continue to play a leading role growing the game and also to the local associations, clubs and volunteers whose hard work continues to ensure cricket has a place at the heart of all Australian communities.”

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, said:

“This has been a landmark year for Australian Cricket, during which we secured the foundations of the game and put cricket in a position to seize on the enormous opportunities ahead.

“The completion of media rights agreements with the Foxtel Group, Seven West Media and Disney Star gives Australian Cricket unparalleled coverage and reach, whilst the negotiating of a new player MOU which caters for changing dynamics in the global game also provides confidence and certainty across Australian Cricket.

“During what was our highest attended summer on record, we hosted a successful T20 World Cup and made strategic investments in the Big Bash Leagues and kids participation that will benefit the game for years to come.

“We are immensely proud of the performances of our national teams with the Australian women’s winning Commonwealth Games Gold, a T20 World Cup and retaining both the Ashes and their No.1 position across all formats and the Australian men’s team winning a first ICC World Test Championship and retaining the Ashes; while our national inclusion teams continue to inspire people of all abilities to play cricket.

“We are enormously thankful for the collaboration of all those across Australian Cricket including players, volunteers, fans and our valued broadcast, commercial and government partners who working together bring cricket to audiences across Australia and around the world.”​
 
Prime Video announced as the home of ICC cricket in Australia until the end of 2027, with every World Cup, World Test Championship Final, and Champions Trophy match streamed exclusive and live
World Cup Cricket—it’s on Prime. All matches available to Prime members in Australia at no extra cost to their membership

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Prime Video today announced a four-year deal to provide exclusive live broadcast rights in Australia for ICC cricket, which will be available on Prime Video Australia. The partnership will see Prime Video Australia exclusively stream all men’s and women’s events, including the Men’s and Women’s Cricket World Cups, T20 World Cups, Champions Trophy, U19s and the World Test Championship Final. The deal includes streaming rights in Australia for 448 live games from 2024 to 2027.

The deal follows the success of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 which broke a number of records culminating in Australia lifting the trophy. The biggest Cricket World Cup ever set new records for in-stadium attendance and broadcast viewership, whilst becoming the most digitally engaged event to date,showcasing that the appetite and demand for World Cup cricket is bigger than ever.

The new partnership, which begins in January 2024, will give cricket fans across Australia exclusive access to all matches in every tournament of elite ICC competition in all cricket formats, at no extra cost to a Prime membership.

ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice said: “We are very excited to be entering a new four-year partnership with Prime Video for ICC cricket rights in Australia. The recently concluded Men’s Cricket World Cup has highlighted the interest and passion for ICC Events across the globe, and especially in Australia where cricket fans have enjoyed the recent success of their men’s and women’s teams. We look forward to working with Prime Video Australia to provide an innovative coverage of world class cricket to more fans in Australia.”

Head of Prime Video Australia and New Zealand, Hushidar Kharas said: “Prime Video has worked to create a single destination for audiences to find new movies, live sports, and their favorite TV shows. We are always looking for ways to deliver more value to our customers and live sports is consistently one of their top requests. We are thrilled to be able to offer our customers the live broadcast of the Cricket World Cup included in their Prime membership!

“The Cricket World Cup is one of the most viewed sporting events in the world; the recently concluded edition was watched by hundreds of millions of people! Over the next four years, Prime members in Australia will be able to watch their favourite cricket teams and players compete for the game’s biggest prize, on demand, on the device of their choice—exclusively on Prime Video.”

Prime Video is a premier entertainment destination where millions of viewers around the world can enjoy their favorite content and has demonstrated its commitment to delivering premier sports viewing to Australian audiences through a series of acclaimed documentaries. These include the Test S1-2, Making Their Mark, Shane, Warriors on the Field, and Kick Like Tayla.
 
Cricket Australia Launches Multicultural Action Plan

Cricket Australia (CA) has released its Multicultural Action Plan to create further engagement and inclusion in all areas of Australian Cricket and continue the game’s mission to be a Sport for All.

Media opportunity reminder: Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley, Usman Khawaja and Lisa Sthalekar will be available to media at 10am today at the MCG. Please arrive at 9.45am at Gate 2.

The Plan is the result of thousands of hours of consultation with members of local communities to help understand the current state of connection including ongoing successes and potential challenges.

As part of the research, there was a specific focus on understanding the experiences of South Asian communities in cricket. As the fastest growing demographic in Australia, people of South Asian heritage are considered critical to the game’s growth in all areas including decision making and volunteerism.

However, the initiatives outlined in the plan are targeted at all culturally diverse communities and the initiatives will benefit the inclusion of all such groups.

The Multicultural Action Plan was informed by research conducted using funding from the Australian Government’s Major Event Legacy Fund and identifies five priority areas for enhancement: Participation, High Performance, People and Representation, Communications and Engagement, and Events and Experience.

A major component of the plan is the 10 key actions that will facilitate the plan’s ambitions. These include providing additional funding and support to increase representation in key roles such as coaching and umpiring, and ensuring the match-day experiences are welcoming and inclusive for all fans.

This funding will be available to all multicultural groups and the plan will help drive participation, attendance and other forms of engagement from people of all backgrounds.

Cricket’s unique opportunity to further engage cricket-loving South Asian communities was highlighted during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 when more than 150,000 fans attended two games at the MCG featuring India and Pakistan.

Accordingly, Australian Cricket has set the goals of doubling the number of people from South Asian backgrounds who attend cricket matches in Australia each year from 100,000 to 200,000 and increasing the number of those registered to play cricket from 70,000 to 100,000 by 2027.

The number of players with South Asian backgrounds in junior pathway teams across Australian Cricket has grown substantially in recent years to 18% of all players.

The aspiration is to increase the number of players from these backgrounds in First Class, State and Territory and W/BBL teams from the current 4.2% to 8% by 2027.

Nick Hockley, CA Chief Executive said:

“Australian Cricket is proud of the way it has engaged and included members of multicultural communities in all areas of the game as we pursue our mission to be a Sport for All.

“This Multicultural Action Plan was developed after extensive consultation across the community and will enhance and accelerate measures already in place to ensure our game is welcoming, inclusive and fully representative of our population.

“The enormous crowds at the ICC T20 World Cup provided a wonderful demonstration of cricket’s unique opportunity to bring people together and engage more Australians from South Asian backgrounds in all areas of our game – be that as players, fans, club volunteers, administrators, umpires or coaches.

“I’m particularly grateful to Usman Khawaja and Lisa Sthalekar for helping us launch and providing inspiration for a Plan that we are confident will lead to more outstanding players from South Asian and other multicultural backgrounds rising through the ranks of Australian cricket.”

Australian players Usman Khawaja and Alana King said:

"We are delighted that Australian Cricket has formulated this Action Plan to ensure the great love of cricket by South Asian communities in Australia is fully reflected across our sport – with every player welcomed and represented, from community games on local parks to major matches in our greatest stadiums.

"Encouraging more members of culturally diverse backgrounds to become club volunteers, administrators and coaches to achieve greater representation in these roles at all levels is an important part of our plan.

"Creating a sense of ownership and belonging will help us to increase participation in clubs and produce more elite players.

"We look forward to being part of this significant initiative and seeing Australian Cricket successfully deliver this plan to help the game grow and prosper in South Asian and all multicultural communities."

SOURCE: CRICKETAUSTRALIA​
 
Gardner and Marsh claim top honours at 2024 Australian Cricket Awards

Ashleigh Gardner and Mitchell Marsh win Belinda Clark Award and Allan Border Medal

Ellyse Perry named Women’s ODI and T20I Player of the Year

Nathan Lyon wins Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year, while Marsh is the Men’s ODI Player of the Year and Jason Behrendorff wins the Men’s T20I award

Matthew Short wins the KFC BBL|13 Player of the Tournament, while Chamari Athapaththu was named Weber WBBL|09 Player of the Tournament

Ashleigh Gardner and Mitchell Marsh have taken top honours at the Australian Cricket Awards in Melbourne tonight winning the prestigious Belinda Clark Award and Allan Border Medal respectively.

At a ceremony which celebrated a remarkable year of achievement for Australian cricket, Gardner added a second Belinda Clark Award to the honour she first won in 2022 and Marsh won his first Allan Border Medal.

Gardner was again outstanding in all formats throughout a season in which the Australian Women continued their dominance on the international stage winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, retaining the Women’s Ashes and winning ODI and T20I series in India.

A member of both the ICC ODI and T20I Teams of the Year, Gardner was also outstanding in the Australian Women’s two Test matches. Her remarkable 12 wicket haul against England at Trent Bridge, including match-winning figures of 8-66 in the second innings, was one of the highlights of the cricket year.

Across all formats, Gardner scored 499 runs at 24.94 with a top score of 65 and took 56 wickets at 19.39 with best figures of 8-66.

In the Belinda Clark Award, Gardner polled 147 votes ahead of runner-up Ellyse Perry (134) with Annabel Sutherland (106) in third place.

Perry’s enormous contribution to her team’s success was rewarded with both the Women’s ODI Player of the Year and T20I Player of the Year awards.

In ODIs Perry scored 466 runs at 66.57 with a top score of 91. In T20Is she scored 390 runs at 43.33 with a top score of 70 and took six wickets at 9.5 with best figures of 2-3.

Gardner’s significant off-field contribution was also acknowledged with the Community Impact Award. Gardner established the Ashleigh Gardner Foundation (AGF) in 2021 intending to create a healthy start to the school day for Indigenous children believing providing breakfast and unstructured play enhances educational outcomes.

Marsh’s first Allan Border Medal capped a wonderful year in which the experienced West Australian’s attacking batting was again a feature of the Australian Men's successful short-form campaigns and saw him recapture a place in the heart of the Test batting order.

Across all formats, Marsh scored 1638 runs at an average of 58.5 with a top score of 177* at a remarkable strike rate of 96 as the Australian Men won a first World Test Championship, retained the Ashes and won a sixth ICC Men’s ODI World Cup.

In the Allan Border Medal, Marsh polled 223 votes with Pat Cummins (144 votes) and Steve Smith (141 votes) in second and third place.

Nathan Lyon won the Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year Award in the same year in which he joined Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath as the only Australian bowlers to take 500 Test wickets.

Lyon took 49 Test wickets at 23.73 with a best return of 8-64 in the victory over India at Indore and scored 131 runs at 10.8.

Mitchell Marsh won the Men’s ODI Player of the Year Award after a year of stellar performances by members of the World Cup-winning Men’s ODI team.

Marsh scored 858 runs at 47.67 at a strike rate of 113.94 with a memorable top score of 177* against Bangladesh in the ODI World Cup game in Pune.

Jason Behrendorff took out the Men’s T20 International Player of the Year after his successful return to the Australian Men's Team on the tours of South Africa and India.

Behrendorff took eight wickets at 16.5 with a miserly economy rate of 6.6 runs per-over, including a match-winning spell of 1-12 from his four overs in India’s total of 3-223 in the third T20I in Guwahati.

Australia’s top domestic cricketers were also acknowledged with West Australia’s Cameron Bancroft taking out the Men’s and Sophie Day and Elyse Villani sharing the Women’s Domestic Player of the Year Awards, which includes matches in all formats.

Adelaide Strikers’ Matthew Short won the KFC BBL|13 Player of the Tournament for a second consecutive season, while Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu of the Sydney Thunder won the Weber WBBL|09 Player of the Tournament.

Short finished an incredible regular season as the competition’s leading run-scorer with 509 at 72.71 at a strike rate of 153.78 with six fifties and took six wickets.

Sydney Thunder all-rounder Athapaththu was awarded the Weber WBBL’s top honour earlier in the season having dominated WBBL|09 with the bat.

In her fifth season in the WBBL and first with the Thunder, Athapaththu made 511 runs at 42.58 - second on the regular season run-scoring list - and took nine wickets with an economy rate of 6.79.

Taj Bower from Perth was named Woolworths Cricket Blaster of the Year which celebrates the spirt of the game, teamwork and the joy of playing in Australian Cricket’s entry-level programme. Taj was nominated for the amazing encouragement he showed his teammates and his passion for the game.

Full List of Award winners

Belinda Clark Award – Ashleigh Gardner (147 votes)

2nd: Ellyse Perry (134 votes)

3rd: Annabel Sutherland (106)

Allan Border Medal – Mitchell Marsh (223 votes)

Pat Cummins (144 votes)

Steven Smith (141 votes)

Women’s ODI Player of the Year – Ellyse Perry

Women’s T20I Player of the Year – Ellyse Perry

Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year – Nathan Lyon

Men’s ODI Player of the Year – Mitchell Marsh

Men’s T20I Player of the Year – Jason Behrendorff

Weber WBBL | 09 Player of the Tournament – Chamari Athapaththu

KFC BBL | 13 Player of the Tournament – Matthew Short

Women’s Domestic Player of the Year – Sophie Day, Elyse Villani (tied).

Men’s Domestic Player of the Year – Cameron Bancroft

Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year – Emma De Broughe

Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year – Fergus O’Neill

Community Impact Award – Ashleigh Gardner

Woolworths Cricket Blaster of the Year – Taj Bower

Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inductees – Michael Hussey and Lyn Larsen

VOTING FRAMEWORK

The awards for international cricket are based on votes from players, umpires and the media on a 3-2-1 basis from each match.

For the domestic awards, the votes are collected from players.

To be eligible for the Young Cricketer of the Year awards, players must be 24 years or less prior to the commencement of the award period and have not won the award previously.

Prior to the award period, male players must have played 10 or less first-class matches and 25 or less combined List A and BBL matches and female players 25 or less matches.
 

Brisbane’s ‘too expensive’ $2.7bn Gabba rebuild to be scrapped... for a new $3.4bn stadium​


A major review into Brisbane’s Olympic planning will reportedly see the proposal for a $2.7 billion Gabba redevelopment scrapped, in favour of an even more expensive new venue.

Multiple outlets are reporting former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk’s review, which will be released on Monday morning, will recommend a $3.4 billion stadium built at Victoria Park in Herston, a current green space.

That is despite the review being implemented because it was thought the cost of the Gabba redevelopment was too high.

The Quirk plan would appear to be very similar to a venue proposed earlier in March, also at Victoria Park, which Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann said “looks fantastic”.

“Obviously, the focus is the stadium for us, but the way that proposal flows, there's education facilities, there's hospitals, there's green space... it just looks something that you'd like to think governments of all persuasions will (like),” Swann said of that proposal.

“Those brand new stadiums bring people to the city. It’s great for tourism.

“This place (Brisbane) is growing. In 20 years’ time, we’ll have four million people here.

“I know it’s easy to say ‘why are you spending money on the stadium’?, but every big city has stadiums, hospitals, schools… there’s a place for everything.

“We think that proposal really suits us, as does the stadium, (for) us and cricket primarily and the Olympics, but I think from a legacy point of view the whole development proposal certainly looks like it should be considered by those in authority. ”

The Gabba currently has a capacity of around 37,000 for AFL games and the Lions would move to the new venue at Victoria Park if it is built.

The plan also includes a recommendation to relocate the Brisbane Arena “from above the tracks at Roma Street to an underutilized section of the adjacent Roma Street Parkland”, according to Nine.

The decision on what to do ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics comes as the long-term Labor government prepares for a state election in October where it is favored to lose power.

www.foxsports.com.au

Brisbane’s ‘too expensive’ $2.7bn Gabba rebuild to be scrapped... for a new $3.4bn stadium

Brisbane’s ‘too expensive’ $2.7bn Gabba rebuild to be scrapped... for a new $3.4bn stadium
www.foxsports.com.au www.foxsports.com.au
 

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley says fans deserve a 'long-term solution' to Gabba ground issues​


Cricket Australia (CA) boss Nick Hockley believes other capital cities have stadiums "well ahead" of Brisbane, as the future of the Gabba remains in limbo.

The Gabba, which will reach the end of its "useful life" by 2030, has lost its traditional first Test of the summer to Perth.

A new, albeit controversial, stadium is planned in Hobart as Tasmania prepares to enter the AFL in 2028.

CA could be tempted to bump Brisbane off the Test summer schedule if a state-of-the-art stadium is built in the Tasmanian capital.

Hockley insists Queensland sports fans deserve a "long-term solution" after the state's government rejected a proposal to rebuild the Gabba, as well as an alternative plan for a new stadium to host the 2032 Olympics.

"We've talked about the Perth Test; we've seen how having a city-centre, state-of-the-art stadium can be the catalyst for sport, but (also) more major events," Hockley said at the MCG on Wednesday.

"The reality is the other major metros, now Tasmania with the prospect of a new stadium there, are well ahead in terms of the fan experience, the provision for players, just the ease of operation.

"We want to make sure, as best we can, that there's a really fantastic solution for the long term for Queenslanders."

Hockley had a major role in planning the 2012 London Olympics

"The Gabba is an iconic ground — there's not a bad seat in the house," he said.

"We want to be a really constructive partner with the Queensland government; myself having worked on the London Olympics, you don't get many opportunities for real transformational change and a catalyst to invest."

Australia will host India at the Gabba for the third Test of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series from December 14-18.

The last Test at the Brisbane stadium was the weakened West Indies' famous upset of Australia in January.

www.abc.net.au

Other stadiums 'well ahead' of Gabba: Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia is hoping for a "long-term solution" to Brisbane's stadium limbo as the Gabba prepares to reach the end of its useful life by 2030.
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au
 
Australian Men's Contracted Players 2024-25

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced a list of 23 men’s players to be offered national contracts for 2024-25.

The MOU between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketer’s Association states between 20 and 24 male players are eligible to be contracted.

Cricket Australia contracted men’s players 2024-25:

Sean Abbott (NSW/Parramatta District Cricket Club)

Xavier Bartlett (QLD/Gold Coast Cricket Club)

Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)

Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)

Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club)

Nathan Ellis ((TAS/Lindisfarne Cricket Club)

Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)

Aaron Hardie (WA/Willetton Cricket Club)

Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)

Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)

Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)

Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)

Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)

Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)

Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)

Glenn Maxwell (VIC/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club)

Lance Morris (WA/Scarborough Cricket Club)

Todd Murphy (VIC/St Kilda Cricket Club)

Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)

Matt Short ((VIC/Northcote Cricket Club)

Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)

Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)

Adam Zampa (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)

New to the contracted list are Victoria’s Matt Short (upgrade retained), Western Australia’s Aaron Hardie (upgrade retained), Tasmanian Nathan Ellis (upgrade retained) and Queensland’s Xavier Bartlett.

Short made his T20 debut against South Africa last year, playing nine T20 internationals and four ODIs. Similarly, Hardie made his Australian debut in the same game in Durban, playing seven T20s and four ODIS.

Bartlett has impressed in the KFC Big Bash and for Queensland, winning a call up to the Australian T20 and ODI sides which played the West Indies earlier this year. He starred in Melbourne with 4-17 on debut, then backed it up in Canberra with 4-21.

Marcus Stoinis, Marcus Harris, Michael Neser and Ashton Agar were not offered full-time contracts although have the opportunity to secure an upgrade through the points system if selected. Eight contract upgrades were secured in 2023-24.

David Warner has announced his retirement from international cricket following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Men’s Chair of National Selectors George Bailey: “Matt, Aaron and Xavier have been extremely impressive in the early stages of their international careers. Their performances and the way they have embraced the international stage has been exciting to watch.

“The panel believes they have strong futures and are deserved of their contracts as they work towards striving to become regulars in the Australian setup.”

SOURCE: CA​
 
www.foxsports.com.au

Four West Australian cricketers forgo state contracts to become freelance guns-for-hire

Mass exodus as four Aussie stars quit state cricket to chase T20 riches
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Four high-profile West Australian cricketers have forgone state contracts to become freelance guns-for-hire, allowing them to pursue opportunities with overseas T20 franchises during the Australian summer.

Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye, who have collectively represented Australia on 271 occasions, did not feature on Western Australia’s 30-player contract list for 2024/25 summer that was unveiled on Saturday morning.

The quartet now have the flexibility to compete in overseas T20 leagues next summer, such as SA20, ILT20, BPL and PSL, rather than remain in Australia for Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup commitments.

Agar, Behrendorff and Tye, who can still represent Western Australia when available, will continue to be involved in the WA Cricket program and remain eligible for state contracts if selected for at least four Marsh Cup games.

Meanwhile, Stoinis can now commit to playing for the Lucknow Super Giants’ various teams around the world, potentially on a 12-month deal, while also representing the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.

It comes after all-rounder Daniel Sams and bowler Kane Richardson declined contracts from their respective states last summer, highlighting how the Australian cricket landscape has been shifting over the past 24 months.

Agar’s decision to pursue the freelance route feels particularly significant considering he’s yet to celebrate his 31st birthday. The left-armed spinner, who lost his national contract in March, was a member of Australia’s Test squad during last year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, while he’s a decent chance of featuring in the upcoming T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies and United States.

Having been leapfrogged by West Australian teammate Corey Rocchiccioli during the recent home summer, Agar only played three Marsh Cup games and no Sheffield Shield cricket following the Big Bash League’s conclusion in late January.

Speaking to a sports channel this week, Agar explained that he’d get more cricket under his belt as a T20 gun-for-hire, which allows him to participate in franchise leagues rather than toiling away at grade and second XI level.

“As someone with aspirations to play at the highest level, which is international cricket, for as long as possible, playing cricket as much as you can is the only thing that gets you there,” Agar told the publication.

“Playing for Australia doesn’t mean you have to have a state contract at that time. You just need to be putting your best foot forward for whichever team you’re playing for.”

Tim David, who has never played first-class cricket, has shown that players without a state contract can still be considered for Australian selection, while David Warner and Matthew Wade are expected to feature in this year’s T20 World Cup despite recently retiring from the other formats.

Meanwhile, Western Australia has added former New South Wales wicketkeeper Baxter Holt and Victorian bowler Brody Couch to its squad ahead of the 2024/25 season, where they will hope to win a record fourth consecutive Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup title.


“We’re very happy with the balance of our list, and we believe we’re well placed to continue the incredible run of success we’ve enjoyed in recent years,” Kade Harvey, WA Cricket’s General Manager of High Performance Cricket & Elite Teams, said in a statement.

“Securing another wicketkeeper was a priority with Josh Philippe leaving for New South Wales. We think Baxter has lots of potential with the bat and gloves, so we’re excited to see how he goes when an opportunity presents.

“Brody generates good pace and bounce and loves the contest. We really like his raw attributes, which should be well suited to the conditions in WA.”

WESTERN AUSTRALIA MEN’S 2024/25 CONTRACT LIST

National contracts

Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson


Full contracts

Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Keaton Critchell, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Liam Haskett, Baxter Holt, Bryce Jackson, Matthew Kelly, Hamish McKenzie, Joel Paris, Corey Rocchiccioli, D’Arcy Short, Charlie Stobo, Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman, Teague Wyllie

Rookie contracts

Mahli Beardman, Sam Greer, Josh Vernon, Corey Wasley

Ins

Brody Couch, Keaton Critchell, Baxter Holt, Corey Wasley


Outs

Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Philippe (NSW), Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye
 
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From Warner to Fraser-McGurk: Unlocking Australia's top-order options at the T20 World Cup

While the make-up of Australia's bowling line-up at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup looks clear, just who wins the race for the specialist batting positions and bats in the crucial first three positions remains up in the air.

The one certainty is in-form dasher Travis Head will open the batting in the USA and Caribbean, but the Aussies have some options to ponder about who should be his partner and who is best suited to coming in at No.3.

Head has scored a century and two half-centuries already in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season and only an injury could see him miss out on making his T20 World Cup debut and opening the batting for Australia in their opening match of June's tournament against Oman in Barbados.

The 2021 T20 World Cup champions do have some other options to consider when assessing their best options in their top-order.

David Warner

Warner is the favourite to partner Head at the top of the order, despite the fact the veteran hasn't been in great touch at the IPL.

The left-hander has a high score of 52 and just one half-century from seven innings for the Delhi Capitals and his strike-rate of around 135 is not quite as good as he would want it to be.

The thing in Warner's favour is that he has plenty of experience playing on the pitches teams will encounter on the Caribbean and was among Australia's leading run-scorers when the T20 World Cup was last held in the West Indies in 2010.

Mitch Marsh

It's expected Marsh will be named Australia's captain for the T20 World Cup when squads are announced next month for the 20-over showpiece and there's no doubt the hard-hitting right-hander will slot into the XI near the top of the batting order.

Marsh has scored three unbeaten half-centuries in his last eight T20I innings for Australia and his form at last year's ICC Men Cricket World Cup shows he is more than capable of performing on the big stage.

A hamstring injury saw Marsh depart India and return to Australia during the early stages of the IPL and only this could derail the 32-year-old playing a major part in the Aussies campaign in the USA and Caribbean.

And partnering Head at the top of the order is an option that selectors will surely consider, given the left-hand, right-hand combination would disrupt bowlers using the new ball.

Jake Fraser-McGurk

Despite just two matches for his country to date, Fraser-McGurk looms as a left-field option that Australia will be tempted to utilise on the back of some outstanding recent form at the IPL under the watchful eye of former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting at the Delhi Capitals.

Fraser-McGurk has scored two half-centuries from three innings for the Capitals and his strike-rate of 222.22 is better than anyone else at the tournament that has scored in excess of 100 runs.

Michael Vaughan has been one of the many commentators to have been impressed by Fraser-McGurk, with the former England skipper taking to social media to shower the 22-year-old in praise and make the bold call that Australia will select the right-hander in their squad for the T20 World Cup.

It would be a massive call by Australia to throw Fraser-McGurk in at the deep end and partner him with Head at the top of their batting order or use him at No.3 at the T20 World Cup, but it could be the exact type of decision they need to make to catapult them to more silverware.

Steve Smith

Somewhat the forgotten batter in Australia's impending T20 World Cup campaign, Smith's experience could prove pivotal in a month-long tournament that is sure to provide plenty of twists and turns.

Ponting recently suggested he expects Smith to be included in Australia's 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup and it is worth noting the 34-year-old was trialed as an opener during his two most recent T20I series in India and New Zealand.

While Smith managed mixed results in those contests with just one half-century from four innings, his wise head could be the perfect understudy to Head at the top of Australia's batting order if selected.

ICC
 
John Harnden Steps Down from CA Board

Cricket Australia congratulates John Harnden AM on his significant contribution to cricket as he steps down from the CA Board of Directors after eight years.

Harnden, who is currently CEO of Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, is one of Australia’s pre-eminent sports administrators and has played a leading role in cricket administration for the past 14 years.

As CEO of the SACA from 2010-2012 he was instrumental in the highly successful redevelopment of the Adelaide Oval.

Harnden was CEO of the ICC Cricket World Cup Organising Committee in 2015 in Australia and NZ, which was widely considered one of the most successful staged with more than one million attendees and $1 billion in economic benefit to the host nations.

He chaired the organising committee for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020, a transformative moment for sport in Australia, which included the final being played in front of 86,174 people at the MCG – a record crowd for women’s sport in Australia. He was also chair for the highly successful ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022 that included the iconic match between India and Pakistan at the MCG.

Most recently, Harnden has played a significant part in measures to enhance the Big Bash Leagues as the chair of CA’s Big Bash Advisory Group, and was a member of CA’s Audit and Risk Committee and Media Rights Advisory Group.

CA Chair Mike Baird said:

“John has had an extensive influence on cricket in Australia and been an impactful director of CA for the past eight years.

“With key pillars of our five-year strategic plan in place and having served 8 years, John felt now was a good time for him to step dow

“John has been one of Australia’s foremost sports administrators and been a huge support to me in my time on the Board and as Chair.

“On behalf of everyone involved across Australian Cricket, I’d like to thank John for his expertise, passion and clear decision making over his term.”

SACA will now commence their process to nominate a replacement Director

CA
 
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