Former Test skipper Mark Taylor is the latest to join Cricket Australia’s exodus after more than a decade serving on the board.
The long-serving board member quit days after CA’s chairman David Peever resigned from his role.
Former CA chief executive Malcolm Speed suggested Taylor would replace Peever in the role before his resignation.
But last week he ruled himself out of the race to be CA’s next chairman, due to his three-year contract with Channel Nine broadcasting next year’s Ashes and World Cup.
Former Test skipper Mark Taylor is the latest to join Cricket Australia’s exodus after more than a decade serving on the board
The long-serving board member quit days after CA’s chairman David Peever (pictured) resigned from his role
Taylor, who was first appointed in 2004, confirmed he would quit as director at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.
‘I said many months ago my next step as a Cricket Australia director was to step up or to step off the board,’ Taylor said.
‘I had an opportunity to put my name forward as the chairman or to step off.
‘I think I’ve made the right move in the interests of Australian cricket to step off and give some other, hopefully, former player an opportunity to add some fresh ideas to this role as a director of Cricket Australia.
‘I’ve got to the stage where I don’t think I can give any more.’
Taylor told Wide World of Sports he would like his position to go to an ex-player naming, Alex Blackwell and Belinda Clark.
The development comes after continuous turmoil within the sporting organisation, tied back to the ball tampering scandal in South Africa at the beginning of the year (pictured: former captain Steve Smith and wife Dani Willis)
‘I think with two spots available I’d definitely like to see one of those spots go to a former player. It’s always good to have the views of a former player on the board, and mix it with people who understand business better than a lot of cricketers do,’ Taylor said.
‘I’d love to see a younger cricketer take on the role, someone who’s played in the last 10 or 12 years, maybe in their early 40s, potentially even someone from the women’s game.’
The development comes after continuous turmoil within the sporting organisation, tied back to the ball tampering scandal in South Africa at the beginning of the year.
Peever was forced to resign as chairman on Thursday despite being re-elected a week earlier.
The development comes after continuous turmoil within the sporting organisation, tied back to the ball tampering scandal in South Africa at the beginning of the year
Last Monday, he remained adamant he would not leave the job.
The embattled chairman lost support of his allies following the release of a scathing report into Cricket Australia which described the governing body as arrogant, dictatorial, controlling, disrespectful and hypocritical.
Members of the board were disappointed the report was released after voting for Peever’s reappointment had concluded.
Peever stood down after a forthright phone call from Cricket NSW counterpart John Knox.
Taylor’s resignation is expected to leave a bigger hole to fill for CA – larger than the that of Peever’s resignation.
Former chairman Peever (pictured, left) lost support of his allies following the release of a scathing report into Cricket Australia which described the governing body as arrogant, dictatorial, controlling, disrespectful and hypocritical
Taylor, who represented Australia in 104 Tests before becoming a commentator, had served as a conduit between administrators and players for almost 15 years.
The 54-year-old had a key role in Steve Smith’s appointment as caretaker captain in 2014 and has generally been diplomatic in his dealings as a CA board member.
On Sunday, however, Taylor attacked the players’ union for their recent push to lift the bans on Smith and Warner.
‘I’ve worked tirelessly over the past 12 months to try and get a better relationship with the cricketers and the board and Cricket Australia,’ Taylor said on Nine Network.
‘There’s not enough people thinking about winning at all costs … from everywhere in Australian cricket.’
Taylor (pictured), who represented Australia in 104 Tests before becoming a commentator, had served as a conduit between administrators and players for almost 15 years
Coach Darren Lehmann and chief executive James Sutherland also resigned this year and team-performance boss Pat Howard has vowed to leave next year.
CA’s nominations committee will need to add two new directors to the board.
They will be selected by a nominations committee consisting of South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) president Andrew Sinclair, Cricket Victoria chairman Paul Barker and two CA directors.
In March 2018, at the third Test match between Australia and South Africa, bowler Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to tamper with the ball.
Three players were suspended from their domestic and international duties including leadership duo Steve Smith and David Warner. Coach Darren Lehmann resigned a short time later.
Three players were suspended from their domestic and international duties following the ball tampering saga at the beginning of the year including leadership duo Steve Smith (right) and David Warner (left)