CA board backs Eddings to continue as chair

Cricket Australia's board has unanimously endorsed Earl Eddings to serve a second and final term as chairman.

Eddings' leadership has come under fire from Cricket NSW and Queensland Cricket in the past 18 months.

But the Cricket Australia (CA) board, which removed Kevin Roberts as chief executive amid last year's upheaval and cost cutting, believes the Victorian remains the right man to oversee the sport through another challenging summer.

Eddings came to power in 2018 when David Peever stepped down as CA chairman in response to pressure from then NSW equivalent John Knox, as the sport grappled with the wreckage of the sandpaper scandal.

CA's board and Eddings have agreed on a more structured succession plan this time, with a deputy chair to be appointed at the end of the coming season.

"Earl has provided much-needed leadership stability and strategic vision during the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic," a statement from the board read.

"We continue to face a challenging and uncertain environment.

"It is critical to have the stability and proven experience to enable the board to maintain its strong relationships with the national and international cricket community, our valued sponsors, broadcast partners and all other stakeholders."

England's participation in the Ashes headlines a long list of concerns for CA, which has already been forced to rejig its international and domestic 2021-22 schedules because of border closures.

Eddings still needs to be nominated and re-elected as a director at CA's annual general meeting on October 14 if he is to continue as boss.

"While I am grateful for the board's support for my nomination for a second term as chair, I recognise the benefits for our sport of leadership renewal and fully support the smooth succession plan endorsed by the board," Eddings said.