David Peever has stepped down from his position as the Chairman of the Board of Cricket Australia effective immediately just a week after getting re-elected for another three-year term.
Peever’s current deputy, Earl Eddings, has been appointed as the chairman on an interim basis, Cricket Australia revealed in a media release on Thursday.
Speaking about David, Eddings said: “We thank David for his service. He has played a pivotal role in the elevation of women’s cricket, and the significant growth in attendance and participation.”
Earl Eddings further said, “He should also be acknowledged for his efforts in improving funding to the ICC full member nations outside Australia, England and India; overhauling governance of the ICC and reforming the Future Tours program, among a long list of achievements.”
Speaking about the rebuilding of Australia cricket, Earl Eddings said, “We look forward to continuing the important process of recovering and rebuilding for Cricket Australia and Australian Cricket,” before adding, “The Board is keenly aware that we have a way to go to earn back the trust of the cricket community. We and the executive team are determined to make cricket stronger.”
David Peever’s resignation has come in the wake of severe backlash from former cricketers and media following the review of the ball-tampering scandal. The review of the sandpaper incident was made public earlier this week.
A Sydney-based Ethics Centre in their review of the scandal condemned an “arrogant” and “controlling culture” at Cricket Australia. Just a day after the review became public, former Australian skipper Ian Chappell had said that the banned players have the right to be angry that administrators got away while they were banned.
“If they are banned and no administrators are tossed out on their backside then that’s not going to help to marry them up again – Cricket Australia and the players,” Chappell told foxsports.com.au.
Ian Chappell also claimed that the players paying for the mistakes of the administrators have been “the history of the game”. “Quite rightly, the players are going to be angry about that – the fact that it’s only them who have copped it in the neck. But that’s the history of the game. The administrators make the mistakes and the players cop the punishment,” Chappell added.