Cricket Australia Chief Kevin Roberts Resigns, Nick Hockley Appointed Interim

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts has officially resigned from his role following criticism over his leadership emerging during the hiatus due to the novel coronavirus pandemic situation. Kevin Roberts, former first-class cricketer, took over the role of chief executive in October 2018 replacing James Sutherland.

The cricket board has accepted the resignation by Roberts with Nick Hockley appointed as interim CEO to look over the T20 World Cup period with immediate effect. Hockley served as head of commercial projects for the cricket board from June 2015 to March 2017. His experience also includes managing Cricket World cup as general manager (commercial and marketing) from October 2012 to June 2015.

Kevin Roberts: It’s been a privilege to lead and serve the sport I love as CEO of Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia chairman Earling Eddings said the board will search internally for a new chief executive to lead the board and also thanked Kevin Roberts for his service. Roberts in return, thanked the board, and expressed his delight on serving them. Roberts contributed strongly to the highly successful Women’s T20 World Cup, record levels of funding directed to community cricket and breakthroughs in areas such as gender pay equity and participation, according to a statement from Cricket Australia.

“It’s been a privilege to lead and serve the sport I love as CEO of Cricket Australia. Our team of staff and players are outstanding people who contribute so much to the game and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. I’d like to thank the army of volunteers in communities across the country who are the lifeblood of our sport, enabling kids to experience the game and to dream about emulating their heroes in our national teams. As a lifelong and passionate member of the cricket community, I look forward to seeing the game thrive into the future,” Roberts said.

Speaking about Hockley, Eddings said that he has earned respect from the board from his previous works and they are optimistic about their future.