David Peever: the man who doesn’t know when to walk

Even the most sympathetic interpretation of good governance would demand David Peever step down as CA chairman.

Cricket Australia chairman David Peever and chair of the review sub committee Jacquie Hey in Melbourne yesterday. Picture: AAP

It is one thing not to walk if you snick the ball to the wicketkeeper and an umpire rules against a vociferous appeal from your opposition. It is another thing altogether to stand your ground after trampling the three stumps into the ground in the process of hitting a catch to square leg.

It is even worse still to re-mark your block, adjust your gloves, thigh pad and helmet, look about the field, and then take your stance as though you are untouched by the rules of cricket.

But this is how Cricket Australia chairman David Peever interprets the game. As damning and embarrassing as the review of Australian cricket and its administration is, Peever claims there are no grounds for his resignation. Nor is there any chance of him running out of partners because his administration remains essentially intact and at the crease.

Pat Howard, who runs the high performance unit, is hanging about for a while yet. James Sutherland, the game’s chief executive for nearly two decades, announced last June that he would retire but not necessarily hurt.

Peever’s performance at his news conference yesterday was an excruciating and belittling experience. What it was like for him is unimaginable.

There were two questions that overwhelmed Peever because he could not muster any line of defence. Technical problems not only plague our batsmen.

Peever could not middle any delivery aimed at knowing why he is still in charge of the sport when even the most sympathetic interpretation of good governance would demand he step away. The review by The Ethics Centre identified what was essentially a cultural cesspool. Deaf to advice, irrational abhorrence to defeat, crass and offensive behaviour, barely a trace of respect between officials and players. Peever, as chairman, and others within Cricket Australia, had to accept responsibility because they failed hopelessly to show appropriate leadership.

Was cricket oblivious to the devastation breaches of governance can do to a sport? It is hard to think they did not read, see or hear the ructions at AFL club Essendon when an arrogant and self-satisfied governance saw a president and chief executive — for starters — walk away and a coach and administrator banned.

Essendon were thrown out of the 2013 finals not because of what the players did but what the administration did not do. Peever refuses to accept that as boss of cricket he is ultimately responsible for the wretched as well as the rewarding efforts produced by his sport.

The other question that befuddled Peever and left him without a believable response was why insist on holding the AGM last week but only release the findings of the review yesterday.

It reflects so badly, too, on the board members. How could they make reasonable and informed decisions on any matters without a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the review findings? They should have demanded a delay in the AGM. As it is Peever was re-elected for another three years. And then the report drops. Would they have done that with all the information available yesterday? If the answer is yes then nothing will save cricket.

So consider the carpentry of the players in South Africa and their hefty suspensions. Consider the recklessness of the CA board and their punishments. Cricket needs to claw back lost respect. Sadly it looks like it does not wish to do that, worse have a clue where to start.

The players were a major part in creating this kingdom. The palace of power. They got rid of coach Mickey Arthur, not because he was no good, but because he challenged their view of their own importance. Arthur was replaced by Darren Lehmann, who rightly or wrongly, seemed incapacitated by the force of the players’ will. All this helps underline the player-administration dispute over pay was nothing but a hand-to-hand combat test of greed. Right now the players and officials do not deserve our fretting. The more money you earn should trip an acknowledgment of the added responsibility to ensure your teammates never play without the dignity sport deserves. Fat chance that.

These are Peever quotes from yesterday’s news conference:

“It has been a difficult and confronting time for everyone involved in Australian cricket and, for that, I am sorry. Mistakes have been made, lessons have been learnt, and changes will continue to take place,” he said.

“While, at times, difficult to read and, in some instances, difficult to agree with what has been implied — CA respects the findings of the review and what needs to be done to restore faith and prompt change.” What cant.

Peever has just taken block again. The chairman who talked and talked but never walked.