KEVIN ROBERTS, "the face of Cricket Australia during toxic negotiations for a new pay deal with players," will succeed JAMES SUTHERLAND as the board's CEO later this month, according to Ian Ransom of REUTERS. A former batsman for New South Wales with a "strong corporate background," the 46-year-old Roberts has been Sutherland's deputy "for a number of years" since joining the CA board as an independent director in '12. Roberts beat a number of credentialed candidates, including board Dir JOHN HARNDEN, who organized the 2015 Cricket World Cup co-hosted with New Zealand, and former NSW Cricket Chair JOHN WARN (REUTERS, 10/2). The ABC reported Roberts described the Australian Cricketers' Association's stance last year as a "challenging situation" but believed he could enjoy a "strong working relationship" with ACA CEO ALISTAIR NICHOLSON. Roberts said, "I'm intending to pay Alistair the respect of a conversation this afternoon and to continue building our relationship. We've both been making an effort to build our relationship and we've had some really productive engagement over recent months" (ABC, 10/2).
'UNITING AND INSPIRING': In Sydney, Jon Pierik reported Roberts declared regaining the respect of the public as "one of his key objectives, while also re-establishing a healthier relationship with the nation's top players." Roberts takes charge at a time of "cultural reform in the game," with separate reports into how CA HQ conducts itself and the Australian team "due to be released soon in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa." He said that the sport has endured "some difficult times recently but we will bounce back." Roberts: "We won't be perfect but I can promise you that we will be genuine in our quest to build respect and to build trust right across the Australian cricket community. Everything we do will be about uniting and inspiring communities through cricket" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 10/3).
'THE VIDEO GUY': Also in Sydney, Peter Lalor reported Roberts will travel to the UAE next week "to meet a cynical playing group in an attempt to repair relationships." Known in the playing group as "the video guy" after his "ham-fisted attempt" to directly address the group through a series of videos while heading the organization's strategy during the pay dispute, his impending appointment was "greeted with as much concern" inside the organization as outside it. Candidates and observers believe the appointment process "was a sham despite the hiring of a global recruitment agency." Roberts' sponsor, CA Chair DAVID PEEVER, said that he "preferred an internal recruit to replace Sutherland." Roberts is said to have acted under Peever's direction when leading the pay negotiations. He said, "I did absolutely play a key role in those (pay) negotiations and our strategy was endorsed by CA and the state and territory associations. We were all in it together. But we do have a lot to reflect on and learn from, as we have" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/4).
'NEVER SAY NEVER': Pierik also reported Roberts "raised the possibility" of Melbourne's Boxing Day test becoming a day-night clash. While he said that the event "remained a success as is," Roberts added that it is a case of "never say never" when it comes to having it shown during primetime, when broadcasters Channel Seven and Fox Sports "could reap greater advertising spoils." He said, "I am a fan of all formats of the game, for different reasons. I have grown up with test cricket, I love the dynamism of T20 cricket and I loved playing 50-over cricket." There are no immediate plans for change but CA's contract with the Melbourne Cricket Club is set to expire after this season (SMH, 10/3).
