‘We can’t tell people what to do’: Cricket boss on Australia Day, summer chaos and Warner

Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird has declared the governing body cannot tell members of the public “how to respond or act” on social issues such as the date of Australia Day.

In a wide-ranging interview at the outset of the home Test summer, Baird, the former NSW premier, said Australian cricket would proudly maintain its recent record of championing Indigenous cricket, but the game needed to concentrate on areas where it had a demonstrated history and connection.

Baird also spoke bluntly about the muddled start to the season – with players rested from an ODI series against Pakistan – arguing the planning should have been communicated much more clearly so that fans knew what sort of team would be lining up in each game.

Former NSW premier Mike Baird says Cricket Australia’s communication with the game’s fans needs to improve.Credit: Nic Walker

“Certainly, I don’t think Cricket Australia should be prescribing anyone across cricket – volunteers, players, supporters – on how they should respond or act on particular social issues,” Baird told this masthead. “That ultimately is a matter for each individual. But where we have a history and a connection we’ll continue to play a role.

“The question on any issue is, ‘Do we have a history with it?’ and ‘Is that something we have views on or participate in?’

“In terms of First Nations people, there is a deep connected history with cricket. That [action plan] is just an extension of that work, and that’s right to continue, and we proudly continue that. More broadly, we consider it on an issue-by-issue basis. But it has to be connected to cricket – we have to have a history in relation to it.”

‘Are we delivering for the fans?’

Regarding the Pakistan ODIs, where senior players did not travel to Perth for the series decider, Baird did not question the management of the players, but rather the transparency about who was chosen for which game.

“From our point of view, there are certainly some learnings. I don’t think we communicated that anywhere near well enough,” he said. “So if the concept is that we’re going to be playing young talent in preparation for future World Cups, and ensuring our Test players maintain focus on the Tests, then the public need to know that, and we need to communicate that.

“We weren’t anywhere near clear enough in that, and that’s something we absolutely need to take on. The whole schedule and every event should have the fan front and centre. There’s all types of demands, but without the fans you haven’t got a sport. We will take away those learnings and make sure ... there will be events where players are unavailable, but make it clear and understood well in advance. I think people were disappointed, and I totally understand that.

“It’s a good problem to have that you’ve got this incredibly talented group that can play all formats, and that’s something you don’t take for granted. But there’s an education and understanding part to that. I think anyone can understand you can’t be in two places at once. So there is a balance, but as a game, where we have to always come down on is make sure we think for every event: ‘Are we delivering for the fans?’

“That’s something we need to reflect on, particularly around the way we started the summer.”

‘Overdue’ captaincy ban reprieve

Asked about David Warner’s reprieve from a lifetime captaincy ban, Baird said the outcome had been overdue and expressed openness to the idea of the former opener coaching Australia one day.

David Warner is the skipper of the Sydney Thunder after the lifting of his captaincy ban.Credit: Nick Moir

“I think that’s a good result. It’s fair, reasonable and overdue. The lessons of what happened back in South Africa are there for everyone to see,” Baird said.

“David has shown his contrition, and he understands the implications of that. He has paid a heavy price, he wants to contribute back to cricket, and that heavy price has been served.

“So the opportunity now to play a leadership role, it’s exciting for him to see that [ban] removed for the rest of his life, to contribute to cricket without that being there. In the short term, having a leadership opportunity at the Thunder is also exciting.

“He’s open to any role, and certainly from our point of view, seeing past players play senior roles in coaching or administration is something we should encourage.”

Culture of women’s game under review

Baird confirmed CA was in the process of reviewing the culture of the women’s game following the heavy penalties handed to Dulip Samaraweera for inappropriate behaviour with players in his care. Kate Jenkins, who reviewed behaviour in federal parliament, has been involved in the process.

Baird also said that the staging of a match for the refugee Afghanistan women’s cricketers next year was an instance of matching strong words with action.

“There was an understanding that we’ve taken a strong position. Ultimately, it’s about providing tangible support for the players amongst us,” he said. “We understand the challenges ... in Afghanistan, so this seems a very practical, tangible way to make a contribution that highlights the importance of women’s cricket, and we think that’s a key part of the future of the game.

“But if a strategic objective is to grow the women’s game, then you can’t just talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk. This is a tangible way to walk the walk.”

Why Baird backed BCCI boss

Baird backed the election of BCCI supremo Jay Shah as International Cricket Council boss earlier this year, and will host him at the Melbourne and Sydney Tests.

“Jay starts next month, the board will be getting together early in the new year,” Baird said. “He’s got a vision that we have to work more closely together – he’s certainly got a vision to support and grow the women’s game, strong support for Test cricket, and has also indicated he’s keen to look at the governance of the game. All those strongly align with Cricket Australia and Australian cricket more broadly, so we’re very positive in terms of the opportunities, and we look forward to working with him.

“It’s about stewardship of the game long term. And that’s not ‘How do I get the best outcome for CA?’

“That’s part of my role, but the other part is stewardship of the game more broadly, so how do we ensure that red-ball cricket remains supported and funded and gets opportunities to continue that, and how do we give opportunities for associate countries to grow?”

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