CA sets up panel, reveals details of culture review

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced details of two separate imminent reviews into the culture of Australian cricket in the wake of the ugly ball tampering scandal that took place in the Newlands Test against South Africa.

Australian cricket was thrown into disarray after former leaders Steve Smith and David Warner, along with culprit Cameron Bancroft, received lengthy punishments for their involvement in the saga. The behaviour of the team had already been under the spotlight for some time.

CA announced on Tuesday (May 1) that it has appointed The Ethics Centre to conduct an independent review led by executive director Dr Simon Longstaff into CA's organisational culture. The Sydney-based independent not-for-profit organisation has previously delivered a scathing review into the Australian Olympic Committee.

CA has also appointed a panel under former Test opener Rick McCosker which will look into the culture of the Australian men's team. The panel comprises new skipper Tim Paine, quick Pat Cummins, Ashes winning women's captain Rachael Haynes, Shane Watson (Australian Cricketers' Association representative), veteran George Bailey and the yet-to-be appointed new head coach.

Justin Langer, the WA coach and former Test opener, is expected to be named as the new coach in the coming weeks. Also, Cummins's appointment underlines his emerging standing and could be an indication that he is in line to become the team's vice-captain.

The Ethics Centre will run the four-phase independent review into any wider cultural, organisational and governance issues within CA and determine if there are any links to what happened in South Africa.

The review will "recommend measures that CA and Australian cricket should consider to ensure that any issues are addressed and that these or similar events never occur again". During the review, a range of personnel within and external to Australian cricket will be interviewed, including board members, management, staff, former and current players, the ACA, commercial partners, media and a range of other stakeholders.

David Peever, the CA chairman, said findings would be available on completion of the process. "We understand and share the disappointment of fans and the broader Australian community about these events," he said. "The board is determined to do all we can to prevent such events from ever happening again. We have full confidence that Simon and his team, along with Rick and the player panel will be able to fully review and identify recommendations for improvement.

"The reviews will commence immediately, and we fully anticipate being able to begin implementing findings before the start of the 2018-19 cricket season," he added.

Australia's next assignment is an ODI series in the UK in June but it is unclear whether the review will be completed by then.