Chairman of Cricket Australia Mike Baird is taking his time choosing Nick Hockley’s replacement. The departing CEO’s March departure is still up for debate.
On Thursday, Hockley gave his final statement to the AGM as the head of Cricket Australia, which revealed a better-than-expected AU$31.9 million deficit for the fiscal year.
Officials have initiated a global search to choose Hockley’s successor since the CEO announced his departure in August last year. While AAP is aware of the interest of other CA executives, Todd Greenberg, the head of the players’ union and former CEO of the NRL, continues to be the front-runner for the position.
When he decided to leave, Hockley indicated he planned to go in March, but he is still willing to stay if a suitable replacement cannot be found quickly.
Baird declared, “The process is underway.” Unsurprisingly, there is a great deal of interest in the position. There is no rush; we will handle that thoughtfully as a board.
“For the upcoming stage, we want to select the best candidate. Nick is still here and needs to get a lot done. We’re extremely laid back but hope to make the deadline.”
Since neither England nor India had a summer tour, the organization would always experience a bad year, which is how CA’s annual loss occurred. Due in part to hosting the men’s T20 World Cup that year, the deficit was considerably more significant than in the 2022–2023 season.
The annual outcome put the sport’s cash reserves at $25.7 million, despite estimates that the sport would suffer a $100 million loss due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
“The expectation is that at the end of these two years, we will have reserves over $70 million,” Baird stated. “It’s a huge uplift relative to where we have been … we’re very bullish about the next two [summers], and it’s reflected in the forecast.”
Hockley emphasized that steps had been taken to strengthen CA’s budget against summers without India or England by increasing digital assets, investing in new material, and making cost-saving measures.
Additionally, Baird said that Australia was moving forward with its plans to establish a Test fund with the ICC to support non-Big Three countries and preserve the red-ball game.
At Thursday’s meeting, CA directors Lachlan Henderson, Greg Rowell, and Clea Smith were all re-elected. Paul Green, a fellow director, declared he would shortly be leaving.
