Player favourite Keith Bradshaw exits Cricket Australia chief hunt opening door for John Harnden
WHY player favourite Keith Bradshaw has withdrawn from the race to become Cricket Australia chief and John Harnden is a serious contender to replace James Sutherland.
Player favourite Keith Bradshaw has withdrawn from the race to become Cricket Australia chief executive leaving Australian Grand Prix boss John Harnden a serious contender to replace James Sutherland.
South Australian Cricket Association boss Bradshaw, was head hunted by Egon Zehnder for the plum CA role Sutherland will vacate inside 12 months.
In a blow to hopes of healing player/establishment relations fractured by last year’s acrimonious pay dispute, Bradshaw has put family before ambition to remain in Adelaide.
Harnden is in pole position to challenge Sutherland’s lieutenant Kevin Roberts and Justin
Langer confidante Christina Matthews for CA’s top job.
Harnden boasts an extensive event management CV running the Australian Formula I Grand Prix, Melbourne Commonwealth Games and 2015 ICC World Cup spliced by his role as SACA chief before Bradshaw from 2010-12.
Former Tasmanian allrounder Bradshaw prioritised young son Jack, who has autism, and “unfinished business” at SACA over a switch to Jolimont Street.
“There are things which are important to me in Adelaide such as Jack who is nearly 10, my partner Helen and things I want to achieve with SACA,” said Bradshaw, a former partner at Deloitte, pioneer of pink ball Tests and first Australian secretary of Marylebone Cricket Club.
Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann noted the qualities that stamped Bradshaw as a rare cricket resource.
“Keith is one of the nicest and fairest people I have come across as a player and coach, he wants nothing more than the game to the grow,” Lehmann told The Advertiser.
“His knowledge of the MCC and ICC though his days at Lord’s could create good gains for cricket on our country. Keith is a great communicator and has a work ethic that has to be seen to be believed.”
Lehmann had predicted Bradshaw or Roberts – tarred by presiding over the pay dispute – as candidates to replace Sutherland before CA director Harnden’s emergence as a contender.
“I believed one of he or Kevin Roberts would get the job, of course depending on whom applies from all the sports out there and other business heads that apply,” he said.
Strikers coach Jason Gillespie rates Bradshaw the ultimate people person, saying: “Keith’s people management skills are fantastic, a great communicator and understands the relationship between traditions and innovation.”
Sutherland’s successor is to be confirmed before South Africa visits for a limited overs series in November.