Findings of the dual reviews into on-field and corporate culture that were ordered by Cricket Australia after the ball-tampering disgrace in South Africa earlier this year will be publicly released next Monday.
The concurrent examinations were announced last May as a response to the scandal that saw Test captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and opener Cameron Bancroft all suspended, and national men’s team coach Darren Lehmann resign.
Smith and Warner were both banned from international and domestic-level cricket for 12 months and disqualified from holding leadership roles for two years (Smith) and permanently (Warner), while Bancroft’s nine-month ban will enable him to return to interstate competition early next year.
To fully understand circumstances that led to the use of sandpaper in a bid to change the condition of the ball during a Test match, and ensure there is no repeat, the double-barrelled probe into possible underlying causes was launched.
One element was a player review overseen by ex-Test opener Rick McCosker and informed by the Director of Australia’s Centre of Ethical Leadership, Peter Collins.
It also featured a panel of past and present players to canvass views and subsequently draft a charter of behaviour for future men’s teams.
That panel included national captains Tim Paine and Rachel Haynes (while Meg Lanning was injured), experienced Australia representatives Shane Watson and George Bailey, current fast bowler Pat Cummins and Lehmann’s replacement as men’s team coach, Justin Langer.
Running parallel to that process has been an examination of team conduct and other factors that might have led to events in South Africa.
That review, led by Dr Simon Longstaff AO, Executive Director of the Sydney-based Ethics Centre, explored the relationship between player behaviour and cultural, organisational and governance issues within Cricket Australia and throughout cricket nationally.
It is understood that both reviews have been presented to the CA board ahead of this week’s annual general meeting.
The inquiries were instigated to explore whether the culture that exists within CA and other administrative and team performance bodies nationwide played a role in decisions that led to the ball-tampering incident at Newlands.
Under the terms of reference for the Ethics Centre Review, which were established to be “not too broad for outcomes to be implemented, nor too narrow to limit appropriate reflection and the opportunity for change”, its purpose was to:
• Work out the central attributes such as purpose, values and principles that define and underpin the culture that CA wants to create and sustain
• Seek input from a wide range of people within and outside Australia’s cricket structure, including board members, management and staff at CA as well as State and Territory associations, former and current players, the Australian Cricketers’ Association, commercial partners and media representatives
• Draft a framework that explains why gaps exist in the development and deployment of the ‘targeted culture’ and provide possible solutions as to how those gaps can be closed
• Deliver findings and then work with CA to develop a plan for their implementation, including a program to better align CA’s aspirational cultures with those that exist
In addition, the aim of the review was to ensure fans can re-engage with Australia’s men’s team with a specific goal of enabling children and adults to be proud of national outfits and players while also enjoying the on-field entertainment and results they bring.
In announcing the complementary reviews, which have included an on-line survey completed by the ACA’s membership of past and present players, CA Chairman David Peever confirmed that its ambitions were remedial rather than retribution.
“We understand and share the disappointment of fans and the broader Australian community about these events (in South Africa),” Peever said.
“The board is determined to do all we can to prevent such events from ever happening again.
“We have full confidence that Simon (Longstaff) and his team, along with Rick (McCosker) and the player panel will be able to fully review and identify recommendations for improvement.”
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