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HomeAustraliaCricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts axed, replaced by Nick Hockley

Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts axed, replaced by Nick Hockley

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Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts axed, replaced by Nick Hockley | T20 World Cup local organising chief, Nick Hockley, steps into CA CEO role on interim basis

Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Kevin Roberts has been axed, replaced by T20 World Cup local organising chief, Nick Hockley, as Australia search for their next long-term leader.

Roberts’ axing caps off a challenging stint as CA CEO, headlined by ongoing disputes between CA, state associations the Australian Cricketers Association regarding cost-cutting during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Roberts, along with his team, mapped out a plan in March to cope with a forecasted 50% loss in revenue for next summer, which included significant cuts to state grants, standing down staff and player payment cuts.

Unfortunately, the relationship between Roberts and key stakeholers, particularly the state associations, deteriorated during the crisis. In fact, New South Wales and Queensland have yet to agree on the cuts implemented by Roberts and his team.

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Now, CA will look to reassess their options as the COVID-19 picture continues to improve in Australia, with crowds set to return at certain Australian venues in July.

Also read: Northern Australia set to welcome Zimbabwe for ODI series in August

CA Chairman Earl Eddings broke the news to staff via live stream on the morning of June 16th. According to Eddings, CA requires a new approach to move on from what has been a challenging few months.

“Cricket, like all national sports, has been going through a period of significant change and – in recent months we have had the added uncertainty delivered by COVID-19,” Eddings said.

“The entire cricket community has been affected and difficult decisions have been – and will continue to be necessary – to ensure that cricket at every level is in the best shape it can be now and in the future.

“It is essential that Cricket Australia continues to provide strong leadership and works constructively with everyone who has an interest in the future of the game – the players, all employees, the state associations, commercial partners and supporters.”

Kevin Roberts stepped into the role at a challenging time post the sandpaper scandal in 2018, replacing James Sutherland, who spent 18 years in the role. Despite a rocky journey, Roberts wishes CA all the best.

“It’s been a privilege to lead and serve the sport I love as CEO of Cricket Australia. Our team of staff and players are outstanding people who contribute so much to the game and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together.

“I’d like to thank the army of volunteers in communities across the country who are the lifeblood of our sport, enabling kids to experience the game and to dream about emulating their heroes in our national teams. As a lifelong and passionate member of the cricket community, I look forward to seeing the game thrive into the future,” Roberts said.

Hockley steps in

Nick Hockley, the local organising chief for the T20 World Cup, has been announced as interim CEO as CA look for a long-term option.

Hockley has had a strong track record in the sporting field. He was CA’s head of commercial projects between 2015 and 2017, before taking on the T20 World Cup role. Before that, he worked on the successful 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, after he spent six years with the London Olympics organising committee.

His most recent success was his handling of the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, which was headlined by the terrific Final that saw 86,000 spectators at the MCG.

As a result, Hockley is considered an excellent interim option as Cricket Australia look to move forward.

Also read:

Charbel Coorey
Charbel Cooreyhttps://cricblog.net
Charbel is the owner & founder of cricblog.net, based in Sydney, Australia. He started the website to fulfill his love for the game of cricket. Charbel has been featured on other publications including OP India, Times of India, and The Roar, among others. He is also a keen fantasy sports player. Charbel has also had the privilege of interviewing cricketers on the CricBlog TV YouTube channel, including James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Saurabh Netravalkar: https://www.youtube.com/@cricblogtv For any story tips or questions, you can contact Charbel at charbelcoorey@cricblog.net.

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