Report finds CA culture to be ‘arrogant, bullying and dictatorial’; won’t budge on Smith, Warner bans
STUBBORN Cricket Australia is refusing to budge on the controversial Steve Smith and David Warner bans, despite a damning review which found the organisations culture to be “arrogant, controlling” and disrespectful.
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- ‘Elitist’ CA accused of ‘sweeping issues under rug’
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CRICKET Australia is refusing to budge on Steve Smith and David Warner’s suspensions despite the cultural review condemning the very basis for why the sanctions were so heavy-handed.
At a limp press conference in Melbourne yesterday, besieged Chairman David Peever declared he would not stand down, or even admit any personal embarrassment for overseeing a culture at Cricket Australia defined as “controlling,” “arrogant,” “dictatorial” and “bullying.”
The comprehensive cultural review handed down yesterday by Simon Longstaff emphasised that Warner’s role in influencing the more junior Cameron Bancroft into sandpapering a ball in Cape Town, while captain Smith turned a blind eye, was only the “reported facts.”
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The full story is that a “web of influences” lay “below the surface” and that Cricket Australia administrators must also take responsibility for the national disgrace.
Aside from saying “sorry” to cricket fans, almost the only thing Peever did admit to was that Smith, Warner and Bancroft were handed unprecedented bans for ball-tampering on the specific rationale that they were deemed by Cricket Australia’s board to be the only three individuals responsible for bringing the game into disrepute.
“Yes as we have said before there was a full investigation and that was the outcome of the investigation,” said Peever.
But the Longstaff review has sensationally debunked that theory, and as revealed by The Daily Telegraph, the players’ union has launched a bid to have the penalties reduced on the basis that the trio have been penalised disproportionately to Cricket Australia administrators who have walked away unscathed.
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“This is extremely significant, as there is now independent verification that the system and culture were contributing factors,” said ACA President, Greg Dyer.
“Given this, there must be a reconsideration of the harshness of the penalties.”
Despite the cultural review questioning the appropriateness of Smith, Warner and Bancroft being the only individuals held accountable, Peever declared that the board would under no circumstances reconsider.
“No the sanctions were carried out by the board, imposed by the board after a very full and thoughtful process and so the sanctions stand,” said Peever.
The Daily Telegraph understands the States are unimpressed they were forced to vote on Peever’s re-election to the board as Chairman last week, before viewing the cultural review, which has subsequently given such a damning assessment of a poisonous CA culture.
Repeatedly asked why he should remain in his position, Peever avoided giving direct answers but was emphatic that he feels no personal shame.
“No I’m not embarrassed at all,” he said in a press conference every bit as lacking as those delivered by Smith and Bancroft and later Warner, in the hours and days following the incident.
Deakin University sports management expert Dr Michael Naraine said there could be little hope for cultural change at CA when the Chairman, board members and chief executive Kevin Roberts are all locked into their positions.
Longstaff said in the review that the overwhelming feedback from respondents is that Cricket Australia “leave problems unaddressed or allow the blame to fall on a group who may not bear full responsibility.”
Case in point, is sandpapergate in Cape Town.
“The severe punishments handed out to Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner in the wake of Newlands is cited as an example of this – where CA is seen to have failed to accept its share of the blame for what transpired.”
A senior state administrator told the review:
“Bancroft should have said no but he had no foundation on which to say no whatsoever.”
Cricket Australia’s investigation into the scandal in Cape Town determined that only three people were to blame. Longstaff disagrees.
“In the worst cases, players are called upon to ‘play the mongrel’. Some players may have a natural affinity for playing such a role,” he writes.
“However, the cost of playing such a role is that they risk becoming such a person. This does not excuse individuals of responsibility for their acts and omissions.
“However, there is a broader context of responsibility that needs to be recognised and understood.
“If accountability is to be a hallmark of Australian cricket then it must be applied to all leaders, whether their primary arena is on, or off, the field of play.”
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Originally published as Report finds CA culture to be ‘arrogant, bullying and dictatorial’; won’t budge on Smith, Warner bans
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