Cricket Australia exodus ‘over’ says boss

The exodus has ended — well, that was the promise from new CEO Kevin Roberts as Cricket Australia tried to get back on the front foot after Sandpapergate and a damning review of its internal culture.

CEO Kevin Roberts has promised the exodus from Cricket Australia has ended. Picture: David Crosling

The exodus has ended — well, that was the promise from new CEO Kevin Roberts as Cricket Australia tried to get back on the front foot after Sandpapergate and a damning review of its internal culture.

But has it?

A year or so after the “darkest day in Australian cricket”, Cricket Australia’s heads of departments are leaving faster than an “Ooh Ah, McGrath” delivery.

CRICKET AUSTRALIA IN A SPIN AFTER SECURITY MANAGER QUITS

MORE PAGE 13

Page 13 has been told by Jolimont headquarters insiders that morale is as low as the peak on a baggy green cap.

Last week, Page 13 reported that security manager Tony Ross resigned following an end-of-season after-party altercation with another staffer.

The end-of-season CA knees-ups have become fertile ground for “poor behaviour.” But more of that later.

Cricket Australia chief spinner Karina Keisler was quick to say poor behaviour, as in the Ross case, was being met with a “zero tolerance” policy under the new Roberts regime.

But staffers are stumped as to why the well-liked Ross was let go. The former Victoria Police detective was under contract at CA for more than eight years and looked after the team in scary situations overseas with diligence and diplomacy.

“Ross was like a father figure to many on the team,” said one insider.

This comes at odds with a staffer escaping even a slap on the wrist for a grubby alcohol-induced incident overseas late last year.

CEO Kevin Roberts has promised the exodus from Cricket Australia has ended. Picture: David Crosling

We hear it had happened again more recently.

Page 13 won’t go into the tawdry details, only to say that despite an investigation being conducted by the Cricket Australia Integrity Unit, staffers were unhappy with how the incident was allowed to slip under the guard of the new Roberts regime.

HEADS COUNT

Last month it was reported that Big Bash League boss Kim McConnie was leaving Cricket Australia for Foxtel after two years at the crease.

Head of Digital Finn Bradshaw is also leaving for Tennis Australia after five years, while Head of Venue and Business Kate Twomey is also moving on after nine years at Jolimont.

Head of Sales and Commercial Partnerships Michael da Costa-Alves is next set to move along with Head of International Relations and Scheduling Sachin Kumar.

It’s understood department heads have chosen to leave of their own accord.

“It’s been a rough 12 months with too much uncertainty”, commented one insider while another said, “This is only the beginning and plenty more want out the door.”

Acting heads of departments are shuffling nervously at the crease.

Page 13 hears former Head of Communications Tim Whittaker took a job at the International Cricket Council in Dubai, only for the job to have recently been withdrawn.

An ICC spokeswoman yesterday told Page 13 they did not comment on staffing matters, while CA was last night not commenting.

And let’s not forget the very shouty exits made by CA over executives Pat Howard and Ben Amarfio.

Kevin Roberts is not seen to be coping well with executive terminations.

HO HO HO

Back to last year’s end-of-season knees-up.

While Tim Whittaker was partial to playing Santa, Human Resources head Anthony Allen found himself missing out on the Christmas cheer.

Allen is said to have sent out an email before the party threatening all and sundry with repercussions if they behaved badly.

But he was the one who danced away. Who took his place? None other than now CEO Kevin Roberts.

Despite attempts to get some fresh air through the doors at Cricket Australia, there is still a pong about the place.