Sport
Former NSW premier Mike Baird appointed as next Cricket Australia chair
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Former NSW premier Mike Baird has been appointed as the new chair of Cricket Australia (CA).
Baird will take on the role from February, with his predecessor Lachlan Henderson stepping down after moving back to Perth.
"It is an honour to take such an important role in Australian cricket at a time when so much exciting work is being done to grow our national sport and take it forward," Baird said in a CA statement.
"I'm pleased to have the chance to work even more closely with CEO Nick Hockley and his team and all those working across Australian cricket."
Dr Henderson will remain on as a director but has decided to move out of the chair role after taking up the chief executive's job with health insurance provider HBF.
Only appointed in February, he has overseen several crucial developments including the David Warner saga.
Australian cricket's governing body rejects claims it should not have handed over control of the David Warner leadership review, while distancing itself from an allegation that it gave players permission to tamper with the ball.
The former WACA chairman came into the job weeks after Justin Langer's exit as national men's coach and has overseen Andrew McDonald's elevation into the role.
Australia also completed men's tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in trying circumstances amid security concerns.
However, this home summer has been more problematic, with CA's handling of Warner's bid to have his leadership ban heavily criticised in the past week.
"The new role I've taken in my home city Perth will make it difficult to devote the time required as chair, so I have decided this is the right time to hand over the role," Dr Henderson said.
"It's been a great privilege to serve as chair and to help oversee some of the great work being done by the CA executive and across Australian cricket."
Baird takes over at a time where a new TV rights deal and pay agreement with players loom as significant challenges in the next year.
The 54-year-old brings serious clout to the role, given he served as NSW premier between 2014 and 2017.
He previously spent a year on the Cricket NSW board, before moving into a CA director role in 2020 as the state's nominee.
Baird was then unanimously endorsed as the new chair by fellow CA directors and state chairs in the past week.
AAP
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