Taylor resigns from CA Board

Former national captain Mark Taylor has stepped down from his role as a Director on the Cricket Australia Board, effective immediately.

Taylor, who has served on the CA Board since 2004, cited the need for Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association to "work from a fresh page" as the reason for his departure.

The building of improved relations between the two parties had, he added, been his "principle brief" since the Cape Town scandal in March, and following on from the breakdown of relations during the MoU episode in 2017.

Taylor also pointed out "conflicts that have lately emerged" between his work with the Board and his role as a cricket expert on the Nine Network.

"With a total of 13 years Board service, and as Cricket Australia's current longest-serving Director, I reached this decision following a high degree of soul searching and, importantly, having the game's best interests clearly in mind," the 50-time Test skipper said.

"Following on from the events in March this year that rocked the cricketing world, and the ongoing damage this created for our game, including vital employer-employee relationships, my principle brief has been to work hard at fostering and restoring a workable, meaningful and respectful understanding between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association, especially at a time when both parties were still recovering from the prolonged spirited, vigorous, and, sometimes, toxic MoU negotiations dating back to mid-2017.

"As Australian cricket faces up to its latest challenge, the time therefore has arrived for me to step back and allow CA and the ACA to work from a fresh page in restoring the important values that have enabled Australia, for many years, to be recognised as one of the world's most admired and successful cricket nations.

"My decision also removes the conflicts that have lately emerged with me striving to achieve a better working relationship between CA and the ACA whilst having to address my ongoing role of reporting on cricket for the Nine Network.

"My best wishes, as always, go to the Board of Cricket Australia and the game of cricket wherever it is played and enjoyed."

The ACA executive put out a statement that thanked Taylor for his service "with balance, care and enthusiasm". 

"What is largely unknown to the public, were Mark’s behind the scenes efforts to resolve last year's MOU dispute. His common sense and goodwill were instrumental and we thank him for this."

CA's Interim Chairman, Earl Eddings, said the Board was disappointed to lose its longest-serving member.

"While we would like Mark to continue as a Director on the Board, we appreciate his reasons and have accepted his resignation," Eddings said.

"Mark has given an enormous amount to Australian cricket over three decades as a player, captain and Board member.

"Mark has played a significant role in helping build and shape relationships within the cricket community, specifically with players past and present, and in his role as Director has always worked collaboratively with key parties to put the interests of Australian cricket first.

"It's been an honour to have an icon of Australian Cricket serving on the Board of Cricket Australia, and our best wishes go to Mark. We thank him for his ongoing commitment and valuable insights to the game.

"While it has been a difficult few weeks for Australian Cricket, The Board of Cricket Australia and the Executive team are committed to rebuilding and earning the trust of the cricket community."

In recent weeks, CA has had new CEO Kevin Roberts take charge, and Chairman David Peever stand down in the wake of the findings of the cultural reviews.

Taylor's exit leaves Queenslander Michael Kasprowicz as the lone member of the Board to have played international cricket.

CA has advised that a search for two vacant positions on the Board will commence immediately.