Keith Bradshaw has emerged as popular choice to succeed CA chief James Sutherland

WHY ‘can do’ Keith Bradshaw has emerged as popular choice to succeed CA chief James Sutherland.

THE can-do innovator who made day-night Test cricket a success, Keith Bradshaw, has emerged as the popular choice to replace James Sutherland as Cricket Australia chief.

Bradshaw, 54, is certain to succeed Sutherland – after a two decade reign – if CA pursues the best available talent.

Bradshaw enjoys concrete support of Test greats and current players while looming as a crucial healing agent in the post-Sutherland era and fall-out of Sandpaper-gate.

Bradshaw, formerly Marylebone Cricket Club secretary and current South Australian Cricket Association chief executive, will confront a field including establishment pick Kevin Roberts and Western Australian counterpart Christina Matthews for CA’s top job.

Former Tasmanian allrounder Bradshaw’s record and experience across cricket administration is without peer in Australia. However Sutherland’s lieutenant Roberts, who struggled leading pay dispute negotiations last year, has high powered board backing. Choosing Matthews would allow CA to trumpet its gender equity credentials.

Only an irresistible calling to replace Sutherland could prise Bradshaw from Adelaide Oval where he has overseen crack venue redevelopments, highest per capita Test crowds, day-night Tests, financial performance, constitutional reform and nation-leading cultural overhaul. Bradshaw, fighting fit after a nine-year battle with Myeloma, has a nine-year old autistic son and partner Helen “to consider” in any move from Adelaide.

“It is probably the job every sports administrator aspires to but I am really happy, love my job,” pink-ball pioneer Bradshaw told the Sunday Mail yesterday.

“It would take a lot to get me away from Adelaide,”

“I do know how to get the best out of people.”