Cricket Australia appoints Dr Lachlan Henderson as new chairman
Cricket Australia has a new Chairman - and from the vacant men’s coaching role to fixing the BBL, and repairing a battered brand, he has a huge job on his hands.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Cricket Australia has a new Chairman - and he’s got a big job on his hands.
Here are the seven areas Dr Lachie Henderson needs to address once he gets his feet under the desk at Jolimont.
Watch The Dettol T20 Series Australia vs Sri Lanka. Every Game Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
1. SETTLE ON A NEW MEN’S COACH
Australia should move swiftly in trying to lock in Justin Langer’s successor.
Particularly if Andrew McDonald is wanted for the top job, it would be in everyone’s interest to give him that certainty before the tough Test tour of Pakistan gets underway.
McDonald wants clarity on whether the coaching role will be split – and the sooner those key questions are answered, the better. Trevor Bayliss, Michael Di Venuto and Jason Gillespie should also be spoken to.
2. BBL RESCUE PLAN
The Big Bash is on life support and this is the year when crunch decisions on its future need to be made.
Cricket Australia are going to need to be prepared to part with some coin to resuscitate the competition, whether that means handing money back to broadcasters to shorten the length of the season or opening the chequebook to lure serious overseas talent.
Above all else though, the key is to find a window where as many Australian internationals as possible can play so standards and profile can lift. CA needs to become more decisive with its decision-making and this is a good place to start.
3. NEW BROADCAST DEAL
Going hand in hand with saving the BBL is getting the wheels in motion for the next broadcast deal. Although the current contract still has two years to run, Channel 7 has already flagged it will go all in to win back the Tennis rights from Channel 9, meaning cricket – or the BBL at the very least – will be left hunting for a new free-to-air home. Channel 10 have already twice rejected approaches from Channel 7 to sell them the BBL, while Channel 9 has never expressed an interest in the Big Bash.
4. FIX STATE FACTIONS
The game has been at war with itself for too long and the state associations for the most part have felt a disconnect from head office. Major trust issues need to be resolved with strong leadership and communication from the new Chair. Henderson’s background as a WACA Chairman is a good sign that he will understand the states must be heard.
5. FIGHT FOR WOMEN’S CRICKET
Cricket Australia are world leaders in women’s cricket, but now the task of administrators is to bring other countries, chiefly India, along for the ride.
There needs to be pressure put on India to fast track a women’s IPL which could change the women’s game forever, in the same way the BCCI’s riches has taken men’s cricket into a new stratosphere.
More countries need to be playing regular Test cricket, because the great potential of the format is clear.
6. FIND ANOTHER PROMINENT TEST PLAYER FOR THE BOARD
Cricket Australia has high profile women’s great and prominent commentator Mel Jones on its board, but a former male Test player should be added.
More cricket IQ is needed in CA’s administration, not to mention another recognisable face to help people better relate to the running of the game and to help communicate messages – good and bad – effectively.
7. EARN BACK TRUST
The handling of the Tim Paine and Justin Langer fiascos has been a PR disaster for Cricket Australia, while the omission of Steve Smith from the BBL has also been a head scratcher for fans. Ex-players have slaughtered Cricket Australia in the wake of Langer’s departure – and while a large slice of their anger might be due to loyalty to their mate – there are bridges that need mending. The likes of Ricky Ponting, Mark Taylor, Ian Chappell, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne are big voices that sell the game to the public, and if CA can earn trust and respect in those circles it will help win back the public as well.
THE DOCTOR IS IN: CA UNVEIL CRUCIAL APPOINTMENT
Cricket Australia’s embattled administration has resisted calls to look outside its own backyard for a new Chairman to run the game in the wake of the Tim Paine and Justin Langer fiascos.
Current director Dr Lachlan Henderson will take over the important post after Earl Eddings resigned from the role at the start of the summer.
Henderson is the highly respected group chief executive of Epworth Healthcare, the largest private hospital group in Victoria, and is a former Chairman of the Western Australia Cricket Association.
But there may be some eyebrows raised outside the game that cricket has again opted for an in-house candidate at a time when the administration of the sport has been put under a searing microscope over the handling of the Paine and Langer controversies.
CA’s board had considered external candidates including John McMurtie, John Gillam and Venues NSW and GWS Giants Chairman, Tony Shepherd, but ultimately settled on Henderson who has served as a CA director for the past three years and has good cricketing pedigree.
The state associations originally wanted an external Chairman, but Henderson’s appointment has been welcomed, with NSW Chairman John Knox declaring NSW Cricket fully supported the move.
“On behalf of Cricket NSW, I congratulate Lachie on his new appointment as the Cricket Australia Chair,” Knox said.
“While we had previously expressed a preference for an external candidate to be appointed to the role, we support and endorse Lachie’s appointment.
“Lachie is a former Chairman of the West Australian Cricket Association (WACA) who has been supportive of governance reform that Cricket NSW believes is imperative for cricket to thrive, including Cricket Australia working more closely with States and Territories.
“He shares our collective vision to inspire people to play and love cricket by creating a game for all that will grow long into the future.
“We look forward to closely working with Lachie through this important time for our game.
“Whilst we congratulate Lachie, we would also like to thank Richard Freudenstein, for his contribution as the interim Chair of Cricket Australia over the past four months, in particular for the work he has done in building the relationship with the ICC.”
Cricket Victoria also publicly endorsed Henderson.
Henderson will commence in his post immediately, meaning interim chair Freudenstein will revert to his previous role as a CA board director.
“I would like to thank Richard, the other CA directors and the state chairs and boards for their support,” said Henderson.
“It is a privilege and honour to be elected chair and serve our national sport.
“I’m really excited by the opportunities ahead. The CA board is relatively new, with seven of the nine members having been on the board for less than three and a half years, and the imminent appointment of a new independent director will bring further fresh ideas and perspectives to the board.
“My love of cricket began as a kid growing up in Perth and the game has always been a big part of my life, as a player, through my involvement with WA Cricket, the board of Cricket Australia and now as the elected chair.”
Teen cricketer eyes Christmas comeback after coach saves life
Talented NSW junior Kade Sutton was clinically dead for five minutes after suffering a heart attack at training in late August, only to be brought back to life by his coach, Jed Dickson. Now, he’s eyeing a return to the sport he loves by Christmas.
‘Heartbroken’: Aussie WC campaign rocked by double injury blow
There are fears Australian captain Alyssa Healy’s T20 World Cup campaign could be over after she suffered a painful injury during her side’s victory over Pakistan.