And so David Peever has become the latest casualty of a debacle which started all the way back in March. In all likelihood, he’ll also be its last.
It was, in truth, an outcome which seemed inevitable, or at least it would have had Peever himself not faced the media earlier in the week with the deadest bat seen since Dennis Lillee trotted out to the middle with an aluminium stick.
So impassive and detached was Peever that you got the impression he’d ride this one out just because, well, he didn’t seem the sort who’d do anything interesting, let alone quit his post just days after starting a new three-year term.
Ultimately, though, Cricket Australia could not possibly claim to be taking the Longstaff Review seriously while the man in charge of the organisation leading up to and during the ball tampering scandal remained in his position.
The report painted the picture of a horribly out-of-touch governing body, a perception only emphasised by its chairman’s performance on Monday.
Peever maintained he wouldn’t step down from his position, even though he also claimed full responsibility for the events of Cape Town earlier in the year. He’d evidently glossed over the passage in the Ethics Committee’s report which concluded “CA is perceived to say one thing and do another,” or at least thought one last display of that behaviour couldn’t do too much harm.
(Photo: William West/AFP)
He also maintained he wasn’t at all embarrassed – whereas Steve Smith had made a completely contrary admission in March – and described the ball-tampering fiasco as a “hiccup” later in the day when interviewed by Leigh Sales on 7:30.
Little surprise, then, that three of Australia’s six state associations refused to endorse his position.
Peever’s exit gives Cricket Australia something of a blank canvas to work with as they seek to repair their reputation following the publication of the Longstaff Review. It will at least provide them the perception of one.
Gone are the coach, captain, CEO and chairman from Cape Town. High performance manager Pat Howard, too, is set to exit the organisation next year.
Never mind new CEO Kevin Roberts was plucked from, of all the places in the world, a familiar office in Jolimont, nor that new coach Justin Langer was in and around the Australian team set-up under his predecessor. Peever’s resignation will act as a much-needed band-aid for CA’s reputational woes.
In many ways, it mirrors the suspensions handed down to Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. Cricket fans didn’t necessarily mind that Peever was in charge during his first three years as chairman despite some failings – none more obvious than last year’s pay dispute – in much the same way we didn’t get too upset about the Test team’s attitude before Cape Town.
One publicly derided performance later, though, and repercussions are necessary to quell the discontent – although it was no doubt the lack of support from New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria, rather than fan outrage, which led to Peever’s resignation.
That’s not to say the change in leadership, particularly if a full-time successor who doesn’t have Peever’s corporate background is selected, won’t satisfy Australian cricket fans. Far from it.
Neil
Guest
When the the A League was unfairly attacked by Allan Jones and Rebecca Wilson a few years ago, Malcolm Conn crickets PR man jumped enthusiastically on the band wagon to lay the boot in with numerous number of tweets basically saying every football supporter in Australia is a thug and as both a football tragic and cricket lover I was offended. It even reached the European press about it at the time. Google it and find out. I even rang cricket Australia at the time about it to express my displeasure. Australian Football supporters have copped a lot of shit over my long life time but I did not expect it from this quarter. The A League is no threat to cricket and I have been to both over the summer.
Country Boy
Roar Rookie
Could not agree more about the over-the-top sanctimony about the ball tampering itself (as opposed to the cover up and lying/obfuscating afterward). Would love to see how many 12 month bans we could rack up in any one game of football of any code if this is the standard!
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Matt - supremely incompetent in sacking Callum Ferguson after a solitary test match in which he was ran out in one of the innings ! Can you think of a comparable decision in any sport ? And who is Jon Holland by the way ?
pakistanstar
Roar Rookie
The ICC has nothing to do with these bans, it was purely a decision made by the CA board.
AREH
Roar Guru
Even if they aren't, at least this sees him out the door. I don't think the culture was ever going to progress nor the relationship between the ACA/Players and CA mend, until Peever left the building.
Matt H
Roar Guru
In which selection have they shown themselves to be incompetent, as opposed to just making choices you disagree with? If there was a young Greg Chappell languishing in the Shield then I would agree with you, but really the selectors have had a bunch of similar, fringe test players to choose from.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
What attacks on the A-League? The fact is that when football moved to Summer to avoid the other football codes, that automatically pitted it head to head with cricket to an extent, so there is competition there for the summer viewers, but I don't know of any great Cricket v A-League attacks.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Actually, I think you will find that participation in cricket, especially at junior levels, has been increasing over the last 5 years. It did go down for a while, but it's well and truly on the upsurge now. Certainly backyard cricket is increasingly a thing of the past as backyards are increasingly a thing of the past. But interest in cricket and participation in cricket is actually pretty healthy. I actually think that the BBL has probably had a lot to do with that.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
No it doesn't. In basically every sport on the planet players cheat constantly trying to get away with it. Every time a player in football (soccer) grabs hold of an opponents jersey or takes a dive, every time a tackled player in rugby league tries to hold the tackler down on him while pretending to try and get up hoping for a penalty, etc. This is all cheating. It's trying to gain advantage by doing something against the rules and hoping to get away with it. No different. If caught, a penalty of some sort is generally awarded in the game and then things move on. In Rugby League if a player commits an illegal act to stop a try they might get 10 minutes in the sin bin, or if a football player sticks out their hand to stop the ball going in the goal they will get sent off and miss a couple of games. That's the maximum sort of penalty ever awarded for any sort of cheating within a game. Nobody ever gets given a years suspension for something like that. It's unprecedented, and completely over the top.
Onside
Guest
The impact of sponsor money and TV rights on management and player attitude has escaped all investigation. Not been mentioned. Winning equals increased ratings and product sales. Cricket in all forms is a multi billion dollar industry worldwide. Players are millionaires. Corruption is ever present. Win = good. Lose = bad. Don't get caught. Feign concern. Those who own the gold control the game, and vicariously, player attitude.
Ex force fan
Guest
Now NSW and QLD only needs to grow some backbone and Cameron Clyne from Rugby Australia will also get a much needed push so that RA can become an organization that represents Australia and not only the East Coast
peeeko
Roar Guru
please explain?
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
I think the Aussie cricket is passing through it's toughest days on and off the field for more than 3 decades. Back in the mid 1980's the rebel tour to SA saw a number of top cricketers being banned from international cricket. But the Aussies fought back brilliantly. So no doubt they will overcome the recent setbacks; but it will take time.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Maybe because they’ve shown themselves to be incompetent?
Nick
Roar Guru
Quite...although, I'm still perfectly comfortable with them being given a year. Particularly Warner. Teaching someone how to cheat is as low, if not lower than cheating yourself - it's just so cowardice.
sheek
Guest
Yes Spruce moose, You got me on a technicality. Accepted. And yes, they were just a bit too cute with their explanations. Still, this was an example of breaking open an acorn with a sledge hammer.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Only Steve Smith was suspended for one match. Bancroft got a fine and demerit points. Warner was not implicated at that point. Jeff Crowe as the match referee appointed by the ICC made those decisions not the ICC. The same Jeff Crowe that handed the 2 game suspension to Rabada. Jeff Crowe had discretion under the bringing the game into disrepute clauses to apply whatever penalty he liked.
PeteB
Guest
Says a lot about this “sport” and it’s supporters if they think the penalty for this offence was “massive” !
Sainter
Guest
No way the ban should be lifted on the 3 players. They did it & need to get punished. The Board have started but won't do much more which is typical at that level. With one sacrifice at that level the Board will think they have done their job to appease the masses.
Paul
Roar Guru
YEEESSSSS!!! Finally, Peever has gone which should have happened over 12 months ago. This should also send a warning to those who are let and especially the Board, that cricket played in the right spirit must come first and everything else should support that.