Australia chief James Sutherland says ball tampering not behind decision to quit

Turbulent times: the past year has not been easy for James Sutherland
AFP/Getty Images
Will Macpherson6 June 2018

Australia face the media for the first time on their tour of England on Wednesday but the state of turbulence back home continues with the resignation of Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland after 17 years in the job.

While the 52-year-old denied the recent ball-tampering saga was behind his decision, he joins the long list of high-profile figures to have left their roles since Australia opener Cameron Bancroft rubbed sandpaper on the ball in Cape Town 74 days ago.

Bancroft, captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, coach Darren Lehmann and now Sutherland have been removed or resigned. Even Iain Roy, CA’s head of integrity who conducted the investigation into the scandal, left his role last week. However David Peever has agreed to a second three-year term as chairman. He described Sutherland as being “instrumental in driving change around the game”.

Sutherland will serve his year-long notice period in order to hand CA time to find a replacement.

They will be in place for Australia’s World Cup and Ashes defences here in 2019. John Warn, who stepped down as chairman of Cricket New South Wales this week, is being tipped for the role. Sutherland has enjoyed some significant triumphs in 17 years as CEO, notably the introduction of day/night Test cricket and the Big Bash League.

Australia’s men have won three World Cups and the women two World Cups and three World T20s. And in recent weeks, he oversaw the signing of a $1.18billion broadcast deal.

But the past year has seen two significant blows, with defeat against the players’ union over a pay dispute and then the ball-tampering saga. “It just so happens we’ve adopted a new strategy with our players and we’ve done a new media rights deal which puts us in a strong position,” Sutherland said. “It feels it’s a good time to step aside.”

Sutherland faces the media after the ball tampering scandal rocked Australian cricket
EPA

This all contributes to the sense that Australian cricket has a fresh new start on their white-ball tour of England, which begins with matches against Sussex tomorrow and Middlesex on Saturday, before the first of five ODIs at The Oval on Wednesday week.

They are coached by Justin Langer and captained by Tim Paine, who revealed a new, friendlier approach in the upcoming edition of Wisden Cricket Monthly.

“We borderlined on abuse,” said Paine. “We want to be more respectful.”

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