Cricket Australia has followed the lead of the country’s other major sporting codes by establishing its own specialised integrity unit.
The threat posed to international cricket by match-fixing has only grown more serious, and an independent integrity review carried out by former AFL executive Adrian Anderson recommended CA get on the front foot in protecting the game in Australia.
The integrity unit will be headed by CA’s senior legal counsel, Iain Roy and will also attempt to safeguard cricket from doping offences, illicit substance abuse and other activities that could undermine the image and reputation of the sport.
Anderson’s review was initiated before February’s Australian Crime Commission report into organised crime and drugs in sport, however that bombshell further emphasised the need for cricket to get its house in order.
Previously several departments at CA were responsible for overseeing integrity issues, but the review has recommended that a single business unit will be given complete responsibility.
Roy has experience dealing with integrity issues at CA and will take over as senior manager – integrity, reporting directly to chief executive James Sutherland and general manager of legal and business affairs, Dean Kino.
Underneath him will be a team that includes an anti-corruption and security manager, an anti-doping medical officer and an education manager.
Sutherland said the integrity unit would help CA improve the wellbeing of the game and its players.
“While there are no suggestions that any Australian players, officials or administrators are involved in corrupt or illegal activity, the threat of that behaviour impacting the integrity of our game in some way is very real and we have to be vigilant in our approach to managing it,” Sutherland said.
“By creating a stand alone department dedicated to managing the integrity of the game, we believe we are well placed in the fight against corruption, doping and other illegal and harmful practices, ensuring it does not jeopardise the game’s unique place in Australian culture.
“We think this is a responsible approach to protecting the game under our jurisdiction. We need to ensure the Australian public has full faith in the integrity of the game and the way it is administered.”
The changing face of international cricket has exposed the game to corrupt activities like never before.
In addition to a full schedule of international fixtures, the explosion of Twenty20 cricket has made the ever-growing number of domestic competitions around the globe, featuring overseas players, a target for match-fixers.
The CA integrity unit will be responsible for undertaking due diligence on all overseas players wishing to participate in the Big Bash League and all other Australian competitions.
The AFL was the first code to implement an integrity unit, and the ARU and NRL have sharpened up their act since the ACC report.
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