Cricket Australia (CA) chairman David Peever has assured chief executive James Sutherland’s position is not under threat despite a forthcoming root-and-branch review into the organisation’s culture.
The independent review will run in tandem with another player-driven process – headed by former Test opener Rick McCosker – to draw up a “charter” for standards of behaviour and expectations of Australian men’s cricket teams.
It comes as the governing body attempts to move on from the ball-tampering scandal from last month’s Cape Town Test, which has seen skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft issued with lengthy suspensions and the sport itself thrown into crisis.
However, it appears Sutherland is safe regardless of the outcomes of the review, with Peever declaring he had the “full support” of the CA board.
There is no indication as to who will lead the review or how long it will take, but Peever said it would not descend into a “witch-hunt.”
“I think we’re all going to come under the microscope in terms of what is occurring back in the organisation that might have contributed to this,” Peever told reporters in Brisbane on Friday.
“But I can tell you this, circumstances like this are not the time for witch-hunts.
“I know people in these circumstances call for everybody to be sacked.
“Clearly, that isn’t going to solve any problems.
“What we must do now is work on the issues that we have and we take responsibility for fixing them and making them better.”
Peever, who also claimed he had no intention to step down as chairman, said Sutherland had done an “outstanding” job handling the Cape Town crisis.
“I know that when the time comes for James to make a decision about what he wants to do in regards to his role in Cricket Australia, he will be remembered as one of the best servants of cricket in this country,” he said.
McCosker, meanwhile, is expected to be joined on a panel for the player-driven review by two ex-players and two current players.
Peever said that process would help form reference points for the independent review, which will establish if there are links between the “culture, processes and governance” of CA and what happened in South Africa.
mushi
Guest
I don't think Sutherland is a board member
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
I am surprised none of those screaming for more heads to roll haven't questioned the appointment of Rick McCosker to head the player-driven process. McCosker was lucky not to be charged during the Centenary Test, for pitch doctoring after dumping buckets of blood on the test strip, after being struck in the face by a Bob Willis bouncer in the first innings. God only knows what tape or sandpaper he had in those "elephant man" bandages he wore over his broken jaw, when he batted in the second innings.
Irie4
Guest
Der Fisch stinkt vom Kopf her.... In business, sport, anything where a culture is allowed to prevail that encourages and enables unethical behaviour, the problem lies at the top. If that's not changed then it's nigh on impossible to sort the cultural issues out
Paul
Roar Guru
Innocent until proven guilty, your holiness. ECB would open itself up to all sorts of law suits if they stopped him from playing and he was later found not guilty
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Speaking of convicts Doc, Ben Stokes is merrily playing test cricket after committing a serious assault. The ECB have no morals whatsoever.
W G GRACE
Guest
Really your CA and Board should all be sacked and the running of your Colonial convict cricket handed over to the ECB - Remember all those convicts we sent you that were put back on the straight and narrow and contributed to building your country as you know it today via convict graft. It can happen again as it did from 1788 onwards for your cricket too.
Paul
Roar Guru
In a separate video interview, Peever says the Board accepts full responsibility, so how can he then say Sutherland is safe. A complete hypocrite.
Bakkies
Guest
They're gutless. The Chairman should go too.
Bakkies
Guest
Just like the RA were caught out lying about not knowing about the sale of the Rebels last year. An email trail was leaked in a confidential submission and a journalist got hold of it. It is now in the hands of ASIC. The RA were also caught out lying when they said they didn't know they will cut a team in 2016. Minutes from an August 2016 meeting were submitted in email format to the Senate Inquiry stating that they had voted to cut a side.
Matt Davies
Guest
Lol. You are me both
mad mick
Guest
If James Sutherland is not under threat then he should be. Why have review panel of ex players and current players. Are we not going to get the same kind of endorsed standards and the same type of jingo "hard tough fair" . We should be asking NZ and England how to play the game. But wait Sir Henry Newbolt has already told us "There's a breathless hush in the close to-night Ten to make and the match to win A bumping pitch and a blinding light, An hour to play, and the last man in. And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat. Or the selfish hope of a season's fame, But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote "Play up! Play up! And play the game!"
RogerTA
Roar Rookie
Phew, I'm so relieved that both Peever's and Sutherland's positions are safe!!
Pom in Oz
Roar Guru
Cricket Australia are a joke. Protect themselves at all costs. It's everyone below them that's to blame. Yeah right!...
You're screaming, we can hear you.
Mr.Media
Roar Rookie
WHAT A JOKE. THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE THE "CULTURE" IS TO CHANGE IT. STOP THE SLEDGING AND PLAY THE GAME PROPERLY, FOR A START! THE COMMONWEALTH BANK IS A SHAMBLES, FIND ANOTHER SPONSOR! AND QANTAS SHOULD GET THE BOOT TOO ...!!!
Paul
Roar Guru
Peever's comments are laughable. Cricket Australia is completely responsible for all aspects of the game of cricket in this country and with that, goes a whole lot of accountability. This has to start with the CEO and by default, the Board, who oversees the actions of the CEO. In short Sutherland has reigned over a period of Australian cricket which has resulted in a complete breakdown in trust with the players ( last year's pay dispute) and the ongoing acceptance of poor on-field behaviour, through his complete inaction, until the ball tampering came up. Sorry Mr Peever, but now is the perfect time to get rid of you and Mr Sutherland. I cannot see how you've added any value to Australian cricket and respect for the CEO from players and supporters who care, is at an all time low. Do us all a favour and resign please.
One thing that never surprises, the people in power are the ones that survive the inquest as they arrange it. Unless someone at the top is specficially targetted, and that they won't reveal to the media
Akkara
Guest
Many articles I've read question James Sutherlands position. How come the board doesn't see it that way?
Dave.SA
Guest
Business correspondence leaked.. What a surprise. In my corporate life I was involved in many high value deals and email mistakes are regular 1. The most common mistake is that people copy too many people... Every person you copy increases leaking risks 2. Not making it clear that the correspondence is confidential - probably not true here - Dont say things you may regret if it gets out - You may obey Rule 1 and 2. Remember someone can innocently forward it to a colleague who fwds it to more and it just takes one bad egg.... and its out in the open If you are going to get that tough do it on the phone or face to face... Of course CA may not be unhappy this has leaked
Brasstax
Guest
I do not understand why people who ultimately bear most of the responsibility for overseeing things for years leading to this mess run the review and decide beforehand that they are untouchables. I wish I could mess up at my job and blame and fire a few of my subordinates and give myself a clean chit and a raise.