Australian players fear state boards may thwart CA reforms

Melbourne - Australian cricketers fear that some of the state boards may block the much needed reforms in Cricket Australia (CA).

As CA gears up for its first major reforms in 106 years, on the basis of Argus report, some feel that New South Wales and South Australia boards may block the essential modernisation process.

Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) official Greg Dyer, a former Australian wicket-keeper, said it would be a "huge" embarrassment should the states stop the game advancing.

"The players believe this is absolutely vital. We've got an opportunity here that isn't going to come around for a long time. I'm concerned that the naysayers are calling it an AFL model," Dyer was quoted as saying by News Limited newspapers.

"It is anything but an AFL model. This is just a standard 101 corporate governance model. This is how you set up if you want to run a modern business. The directors will be appointed by the states and will be accountable in every aspect of what they're doing to the states," he said.

The CA board had recently adopted the recommendations of a report prepared by corporate heavyweights David Crawford and Colin Carter. The report was scathing about the current structure and lack of expertise. But the recommendations must be passed by most of the states for it to be adopted.

New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia each have three delegates on the CA board as founding members while Queensland and Western Australia has two and Tasmania one, with each delegate having a vote.

According to the current rule, delegates are directly appointed from state boards which in turn are appointed by grade cricket boards.

But under new proposals, one director would be appointed from each state with no state association or club affiliation and a further three would be appointed as fully independent based on their skills.