‘We can’t tell people what to do’: Cricket boss on Australia Day, summer chaos and Warner

Loading “From our point of view, there are certainly some learnings. I don’t think we communicated that anywhere near well enough,” he said. “So if the concept is that we’re going to be playing young talent in preparation for future World Cups, and ensuring our Test players maintain focus on the Tests, then the public need to know that, and we need to communicate that. “We weren’t anywhere near clear enough in that, and that’s something we absolutely need to take on. The whole schedule and every event should have the fan front and centre. There’s all types of demands, but without the fans you haven’t got a sport. We will take away those learnings and make sure ... there will be events where players are unavailable, but make it clear and understood well in advance. I think people were disappointed, and I totally understand that. “It’s a good problem to have that you’ve got this incredibly talented group that can play all formats, and that’s something you don’t take for granted. But there’s an education and understanding part to that. I think anyone can understand you can’t be in two places at once. So there is a balance, but as a game, where we have to always come down on is make sure we think for every event: ‘Are we delivering for the fans?’ “That’s something we need to reflect on, particularly around the way we started the summer.”

‘Overdue’ captaincy ban reprieve Asked about David Warner’s reprieve from a lifetime captaincy ban, Baird said the outcome had been overdue and expressed openness to the idea of the former opener coaching Australia one day. David Warner is the skipper of the Sydney Thunder after the lifting of his captaincy ban. Credit: Nick Moir “I think that’s a good result. It’s fair, reasonable and overdue. The lessons of what happened back in South Africa are there for everyone to see,” Baird said. “David has shown his contrition, and he understands the implications of that. He has paid a heavy price, he wants to contribute back to cricket, and that heavy price has been served.

“So the opportunity now to play a leadership role, it’s exciting for him to see that [ban] removed for the rest of his life, to contribute to cricket without that being there. In the short term, having a leadership opportunity at the Thunder is also exciting. “He’s open to any role, and certainly from our point of view, seeing past players play senior roles in coaching or administration is something we should encourage.” Culture of women’s game under review Baird confirmed CA was in the process of reviewing the culture of the women’s game following the heavy penalties handed to Dulip Samaraweera for inappropriate behaviour with players in his care. Kate Jenkins, who reviewed behaviour in federal parliament, has been involved in the process.

Baird also said that the staging of a match for the refugee Afghanistan women’s cricketers next year was an instance of matching strong words with action. “There was an understanding that we’ve taken a strong position. Ultimately, it’s about providing tangible support for the players amongst us,” he said. “We understand the challenges ... in Afghanistan, so this seems a very practical, tangible way to make a contribution that highlights the importance of women’s cricket, and we think that’s a key part of the future of the game. “But if a strategic objective is to grow the women’s game, then you can’t just talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk. This is a tangible way to walk the walk.” Why Baird backed BCCI boss Baird backed the election of BCCI supremo Jay Shah as International Cricket Council boss earlier this year, and will host him at the Melbourne and Sydney Tests.

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