Eddings named full-time CA chairman

Earl Eddings, a former first-grade batsman and president of Premier Cricket side North Melbourne, has become Cricket Australia's chairman on a full-time basis.

Eddings had been CA's interim chairman following the departure of David Peever, who was forced to resign following The Ethics Centre's scathing recent assessment of the governing body.

The Victorian always loomed as Peever's full-time successor; he had accompanied Peever at International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings, while he formally become CA's heir apparent when appointed deputy chairman at this year's annual general meeting.

The board, earlier this month, settled on Eddings as their choice to oversee one of CA's most challenging chapters.

"Earl's involvement over the past decade provides continuity in a time of change and enables the board to maintain strong relations with the ICC, other member countries and our valued partners," CA independent director Jacquie Hey said in a statement.

"Earl is a well-regarded member of the team with a solid understanding of our history and the need for better working relationships across the cricket community."

While Eddings, who runs a risk-management firm, has impressed the players' union in recent dealings, his elevation has disappointed at least one state association. 

Cricket Victoria (CV) made it clear it wanted two directors to be added to CA's board, replacing Peever and Mark Taylor, before a call was made on the new chairman. That request was denied.

"Cricket Victoria has made its view clear and our preference remains that the interim chairman arrangements were maintained while Australian cricket undertakes a thorough process to fill the recent board vacancies," CV chairman Paul Barker said in a statement.

"We have actively encouraged Cricket Australia to pursue this opportunity through an established nominations committee - a process that Cricket Victoria firmly believes would deliver the best outcome for Australian cricket."

CA has been consulting with the six state associations, keen to avoid a repeat of the scenario that saw Peever being unanimously re-elected then rolled within a week.

The dynamic between CA and its shareholders, the states, was one of many issues highlighted in the cultural review.

Queensland Cricket chairman Sal Vasta welcomed the appointment, saying Eddings will provide “strong and certain leadership”.

"Australian Cricket has recently been in a period of uncertainty, and we believe this appointment allows us to focus completely on the summer of cricket that is well and truly underway,” said Vasta.

Eddings' initial tenure will only last for less than a year, with the long-time director up for re-election at the 2019 AGM.