Cricket Australia announces review

Cricket Australia chairman David Peever has confirmed former Test batsman Rick McCosker will be involved in an independent review into cultural, organisational and governance issues in cricket following the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.

In a statement made in Brisbane today, Peever confirmed McCosker will chair a player-driven process to set out a charter setting out standards for improved player behaviour and expectations of the Australian men’s national side.

That process will form part of the wide-ranging review, which will provide recommendations to the Cricket Australia board.

The enquiry has been prompted by the ball-tampering incident at Newlands during Australia's third Test against South Africa last month which has seen Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft each cop hefty punishments.

Smith and Warner have been stripped of the national captaincy and vice-captaincy respectively in addition to 12-month bans from international and Australian domestic cricket, while Bancroft has been suspended for nine months.

While Peever said further details of the review will be announced in due course, he forecasted a charter setting out "standards of behaviour and expectations" of Australian men’s teams to be initiated.

McCosker, 71, played 25 Tests and 14 one-day internationals between 1975 and 1982, is best known for his heroic innings in the in the 1977 Centenary Test against England where he batted with a broken jaw in Australia’s second innings.

He’s expected to be joined by two former players and two current players on a panel, with that quartet yet to be named.

Peter Collins, Director of the Centre for Ethical Leadership and a consultant on ethics, leadership and organisational change will act as a "facilitator" for the process. 

The review will take "whatever time is necessary", according to Peever.

"Australian cricketers are role models for our young people and ambassadors for our country," he said.  

"Cricket fans and the Australian public rightly have high expectations regarding the standards of behaviour of our national teams." 

"The independent review will provide an important foundation for ensuring these expectations are met.

"In addition, Cricket Australia will initiate a separate player (and former player) driven process to consider a “charter” that sets out standards of behaviour and expectations of Australian men’s teams.  

"It is anticipated that this process will include assessments as to whether changes to codes and standards governing player conduct are required.

"The outcomes from this process will form reference points for the independent review.”

Former Test captain Ricky Ponting yesterday said he believed the notion of a cultural issue within the Australian men's team was overblown.

"The cultural issue for me is really an interesting thing," Ponting said.

"Because if we wind the clock back just a couple of months, when Australia won the Ashes like they did, there was no talk about cultural problems or issues whatsoever.

"I honestly feel on this occasion the cultural stuff that's been spoken about has probably been blown out of proportion to a certain degree."