Mike Baird steps down as Cricket Australia chair as David Boon takes interim role
Mike Baird will step down as Cricket Australia chair at next month's annual general meeting, with former Test batter David Boon appointed interim chair, after a bitter state-versus-board battle over the privatisation of Big Bash League clubs.
Mike Baird will step down as Cricket Australia chair at next month’s annual general meeting, the governing body confirmed in a statement, ending a six-year board tenure amid a bitter battle with the states over the privatisation of Big Bash League clubs.
Former Test batter David Boon will take over at the October 28 AGM as interim chair while a process to appoint a full-time chair takes place over the coming months.
Baird, the former NSW premier who has been chair since February 2023, has been the driving force behind CA’s push to open BBL clubs to private investment. He informed fellow board members on Monday he would not seek re-election after losing the support of Cricket NSW, his own state association, which has staunchly opposed the move, AAP reported.
The 58-year-old, who was appointed NRMA Group CEO in April, said he did not wish to continue without the support of all the states, though he had the option of moving into an independent board role.
CA has invited bids from private owners for a 100 per cent stake in the Melbourne Renegades licence, with new ownership expected to be in place for the 2027-28 WBBL and BBL seasons.
“After much consideration I have decided to stand down as CA chair and director,” Baird said in a statement, adding that CA’s “long-term sustainability is assured” following the recent BBL decisions.
“I am delighted that David Boon has agreed to undertake the interim chair role while we complete the formal chair process, and I will undertake a transition process with David over coming weeks.”
Boon, who played 107 Tests and 181 one-day internationals for Australia between 1984 and 1996, joined the CA board last year after nine years as a Cricket Tasmania director, three as its chair.
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