‘Loved, admired, and respected by so many’: SACA chief executive Keith Bradshaw dies after long battle with cancer
SA cricket has lost one of its most influential sons with the death of longstanding SACA chief executive Keith Bradshaw.
SACA’s chief executive Keith Bradshaw is being remembered as a “universally loved and respected leader” and an innovative cricket administrator following his death on Monday after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.
Born in Tasmania, Bradshaw played 25 first-class and nine list A appearances for his state between 1984 and 1988, before embarking on a successful administrative career that saw him appointed chief executive of the famed Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord’s, where he was the first non-Englishman to hold to esteemed position.
He was appointed SACA boss in 2011 and over the next decade oversaw the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval from cricket’s perspective, drove the early stages of the BBL and WBBL in Adelaide and saw the Adelaide Strikers become the most attended team in the Big Bash Leagues, creating a new tradition with the New Year’s Eve fixture.
Bradshaw was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer) 13 years ago, when still in England, and continued to work despite having to undergo years of treatment.
His family released a statement late on Monday that he had died after a courageous battle with the cancer.
They said they took great solace from knowing Keith was loved, admired, and respected by so many, not just for his incredible contribution to the world of cricket but as a partner, father, dear friend, inspiring mentor, and visionary leader.
“Keith has made an indelible mark on so many people through his legacy of great service, personal relationships, and outstanding stewardship,” the statement said.
SACA president Andrew Sinclair said Bradshaw was “an extraordinary fighter through his considerable health challenges”.
“His demeanour was one of quietly, efficiently and enthusiastically completing tasks assigned to him,” Sinclair said.
“He frequently talked of surrounding himself with a great team … in huge part due to his personable approach, leadership style and decency to others.”
Bradshaw’s legacy will be his development of pink cricket ball while at the MCC, and it was on his watch that Adelaide staged the first-ever day-night Test match when Australia played New Zealand in November 2015.
He was also a committed advocate for women’s cricket and in November 2015, travelled to NSW to watch the SA Scorpions win their first Women’s National Cricket League title, despite the inaugural day-night Test taking place in Adelaide at the same time.
Cricket Australia chairman Richard Freudenstein, described his death as devastating for the game and all those who knew him.
“His great skill as a cricket administrator was to be an innovator, yet appreciate and understand the importance of tradition,” he said.
“He had the clearest of vision when it came to strategy and yet the lightest of touch when it came to empowering his staff to carry it out.
“Cricket will be much the poorer for his passing.”
Minister for Sport Corey Wingard called Bradshaw’s passing a “sad day for cricket”, while SA cricketers took to social media to share their memories.
Australian fast bowler Megan Schutt tweeted: “Keith was a once-in-a-lifetime man, he will be missed beyond belief”, while Redbacks coach Jason Gillespie wrote: “A huge impact on our game. A wonderful human being.”
SACA will hold a celebration of Bradshaw’s life at the Adelaide Oval in the coming week.
Bradshaw is survived by his much-loved fiancée Helen and children, Juliet, Eliza, Donald, Jack and son-in-law Patrick.
The Redbacks play Tasmania in a Sheffield Shield match from Wednesday and will wear black armbands to mark their respects.
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