Cricket news - CA bifurcates high-performance role into two positions

In the backdrop of State Associations pushing for a greater say in terms of development of emerging players, Cricket Australia has noted that it would bifurcate the high performance role into two divisions - executive general manager of high performance and an executive general manager of national setups. The high performance role was previously held by Pat Howard.

Mark Taylor, former Australian captain, Dean Jones, former middle order batsman, Jamie Cox, the second highest run-getter in the Sheffield Shield, and Ban Olivier, the high performance manager at WACA, are some of the candidates in fray to take over the aforementioned roles.

Australian Cricketers Association and state bodies have continued to push for the development of young players to be overseen by state associations, rather than falling under the ambit of coaches at the centre of excellence in Brisbane.

"After reflecting on the EGM team performance position over the home summer, we have made the decision to split responsibilities across two roles to enable greater focus on the many dimensions of a complex role," CA chief executive Kevin Roberts said.

"The EGM of high performance will work closely with states and territories to lead and drive the high performance system nationally. The role will focus on developing the quality of domestic competitions as well as fostering the next generation of elite players, coaches and umpires," he added.

In the recent past, Sheffield Shield has come scrutiny with critics pointing out that the competition standards have gone down. ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson said the new positions were a "welcome step in re-emphasising the importance of domestic cricket to the national high-performance system.

"Having strong state teams producing many players capable of taking the next step to national selection is what will lead to sustained success. Critical now is the need to get the right systems and people that underpin these roles, at all levels of the game."

Domestic competitions and national championships, player, coach and umpire pathways, talent recognition and nurturing, Australian youth teams and sport science and sport medicine are a few of the duties that would come under the ambit of the executive general high performance manager.

Meanwhile, the executive general manager of national teams would operate in tune with the men's and women's units, including the Australia A side, to 'maximise' their performance. The executive general manger of national teams is also responsible to ensure Australia plays "in a way that makes Australians proud".

In a statement, CA said "the EGM of national teams will be dedicated to maximising the performance of Australian teams on the international stage in a way that makes Australians proud".