SYDNEY: Cricket Australia (CA) announced Thursday that chairman David Peever has called it quits just three days after the release of the Longstaff Review which slammed the board as ‘arrogant’ and ‘controlling’ for a cultural decay of Australian cricket.
Peever’s resignation also comes a week after he was re-elected to the post till 2021. For the first time in the 113 years of CA’s existence, the board chairman has been sacked without completing his tenure. This would have been his second three-year term, having been appointed in 2015 to replace Wally Edwards.
ESPNcricinfo reports that three of the six ‘big’ Australian state associations namely New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria were against Peever’s leadership following the aftermath of the review in which he called the infamous Newlands ball tampering scandal this year as a ‘hiccup’ in a television interview. His explanation of the 42 recommendations of the review wasn’t entirely convincing.
The chairman was also against releasing the review to state associations prior to the board’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), something which has upset them and the move was severely criticized by several top administrators such as former ICC President Malcolm Speed.
Peever’s exit means that the only person at the top hierarchy of CA who remains at present at their position from the South African debacle is Pat Howard, the performance manager who will resign next year as well. Kevin Roberts had replaced James Sutherland as CEO recently, which ended the latter’s 17-year tenure.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has named Earl Eddings, Peever’s deputy as the interim chairman. For the permanent position, former Australian captain and CA member Mark Taylor’s name has been doing the rounds. John Harnden, a CA board director who was also the tournament director of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, is reportedly another option being considered.
Eddings commented on his predecessor’s decision: “We thank David for his service. He has played a pivotal role in the elevation of women’s cricket, and the significant growth in attendance and participation.
“He should also be acknowledged for his efforts in improving funding to the ICC full member nations outside Australia, England and India; overhauling governance of the ICC and reforming the Future Tours program, among a long list of achievements.
“We look forward to continuing the important process of recovering and rebuilding for Cricket Australia and Australian Cricket.
“The Board is keenly aware that we have a way to go to earn back the trust of the cricket community. We and the executive team are determined to make cricket stronger.”
Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) President Greg Dyer, with whom Peever has been on collision course much during his tenure during controversies such as the MoU pay dispute in the 2016-17 season, said:
“I’d like to thank David for his service to Australian cricket.
“Dedicating six years to the Board of Cricket Australia is a demonstration of his commitment to the game.
“We will continue to work closely with interim Chair Mr. Earl Eddings and the Cricket Australia Board at this important time, including in the implementation of the recommendations of the Longstaff Review.”
