Purge of administrators continues at Cricket Australia

November 9, 2018

Sport /

Turmoil in the wake of a damning report into Cricket Australia’s culture has seen further departures from the organisation with Executive General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard being asked to step down and, as of Wednesday, Executive General Manager of Broadcasting, Digital Media and Commercial, Ben Amarfio, sacked with immediate effective.

Howard, who has been responsible for the Australian team's high-performance unit, was due to see out a contract which ends after the Ashes series in England next year.

However, after a critical review into Cricket Australia and the ball-tampering affair, Howard will leave next week.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Kevin Roberts said the staff movements showed his organisation was committed to changing its culture, stating “it's a time for reflection and learning, it's a time for us to deepen our relationships.

"It's important that we show leadership and show that we're not about words, but we're about actions."

Former Australia captain Belinda Clark, another member of Cricket Australia's executive, will perform Howard's job on an interim basis until the governing body settles on a permanent replacement.

Howard's high performance unit (HPU) came under criticism in the recent Ethics Centre review which claimed the organisation pursued a culture of "winning without counting the costs".

The report stated “the national HPU has been given virtual carte blanche in its quest to produce a winning national team.”

As reported by the ABC, Howard’s critics also questioned why he was not held to account for the poor performance of the Australian men's team since his appointment in 2011 and for the ball-tampering affair.

The Ethics Centre made 41 recommendations in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.

Cricket Australia Chairman David Peever resigned last week while Director Mark Taylor stepped down on Monday.

Image of Pat Howard courtesy of TeamGuru.

5th November 2018 - Mark Taylor quits Director role as recriminations continue at Cricket Australia

1st November 2018 - Cricket Australia Chairman David Peever resigns in wake of damning report

29th October 2018 - Report slams Cricket Australia as ‘arrogant’ and partly to blame for ball-tampering

3rd October 2018 - Kevin Roberts named new Cricket Australia Chief Executive

14th September 2018 - Out-of-court settlement ends Cricket Australia abortion comment sacking saga

22nd June 2018 - Woolworths to partner Cricket Australia from grassroots to elite level

8th June 2018 - Australian scandal leads ICC Cricket Committee to recommend stronger sanctions for ball-tampering

6th June 2018 - James Sutherland to quit as Cricket Australia Chief Executive in 2019

13th April 2018 - Cricket Australia secures $1.2 billion broadcast deal

6th April 2018 - Assurances over future of Cricket Australia’s James Sutherland as review panel announced

29th March 2018 - Sports Commission backs Cricket Australia player bans

27th March 2018 - Awkward choices for Cricket Australia in wake of ball tampering scandal

27th June 2017 - Australian Cricketers’ Association fears no resolution of Cricket Australia pay dispute

13th July 2016 - Cricket Australia announces $4 million backing for grassroots women’s cricket

7th July 2014 - Cricket Australia advances national facility guidelines

25th October 2012 - Cricket Australia confirms first woman board member

23rd August 2012 - Cricket Australia approves new governance structure

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