James Sutherland stands down as Cricket Australia chief
In a massive blow to Cricket Australia, long-standing Chief Executive James Sutherland has announced that he will step down from his post. James Sutherland said that it is the right time for him to leave his post which he has held for the last 17 years. Sutherland will continue till an able replacement is found.
What did CEO Sutherland say about this decision?
"I feel very comfortable that this is the right time for me...It is something that I have been thinking about for a long time. We have had some big, big things to deal with over the course of the last 12 months." James Sutherland said.
Sutherland to depart after 17 years at the helm
James Sutherland has been with Cricket Australia since 1998 and he took over as the CEO in 2001. Sutherland has given the Australian cricket board 12 months of notice so that a suitable replacement is found. This will allow a smooth transition, as well. Sutherland's resignation now adds to the growing list of changes in Australian cricket.
Cricket Australia has been rocked in the past few months
James Sutherland was put under extreme pressure in March when Australian trio Cameron Bancroft, David Warner and Steven Smith were embroiled in the ball-tampering scandal against South Africa. He decided to lay heavy sanctions on them and suspended Warner and Smith for 12 months. Bancroft was handed a 9-month suspension. It was followed by the resignation of Lehmann. He was replaced by Justin Langer.
Sutherland hopes to leave the game in good hands
However, Sutherland denied that the ball tampering scandal had anything to do with his resignation. Australian cricket has seen some troubled times under Sutherland's tenure including the payment dispute in 2017 when players started to boycott matches. He feels the time is right for him to move on and a new generation should take over to shape Australian cricket.
