James Sutherland to step down as Cricket Australia chief executive

By Sky Sports News

Image: James Sutherland is leaving his role after 17 years

James Sutherland is to step down as Cricket Australia's (CA) chief executive two months after the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

That incident saw captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner suspended and led to the resignation of coach Darren Lehmann, although Sutherland insists that has not influenced his decision.

Sutherland - who has been in the role for 17 years - has given 12 months' notice and will continue in his position until a replacement is found.

"It certainly was a big issue at the time," Sutherland said of the scandal at a news conference. "It hasn't had a bearing on my decision.

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"[CA chairman] David [Peever] and I have actually been talking about this for two years ... It just feels like a good time for me to hand over the reins in an orderly fashion to my successor."

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Australia coach Justin Langer said of Sutherland's departure: "He is an outstanding person. His leadership has been outstanding - he's been an outlier to be there for so long.

"I always remember [former Australia coach] John Buchanan saying you judge a champion by longevity and he [Sutherland] has had a long time in the job. He has done a brilliant job for Australian cricket and will be missed at the top of Australian cricket."

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Speaking to Sky Sports News, Sky Sports Cricket commentator and former England coach David Lloyd added: "James Sutherland has been in the game a long time, he is a very good man.

Image: Justin Langer on Sutherland: 'His leadership has been outstanding - he has been an outlier to be there for so long'

"He may feel that it's time for a change - everyone's got a sell-by date and he probably thinks he's gone beyond that.

"So many people have suffered from what went on in South Africa and I wonder whether we have heard the last of it."

In March, Smith, Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft were caught up in a plot to tamper with the match ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Smith and Warner were subsequently suspended by Cricket Australia from international and domestic first-class cricket for 12 months, while Bancroft was handed a nine-month ban.

The sanctions were significantly harsher than any imposed by the International Cricket Council for similar offences.

Image: David Warner (left) and Steve Smith are serving 12-month bans

Lehmann quit as national coach less than a week later, after being cleared of any involvement in the ball-tampering incident.

Smith has been replaced as captain by Tim Paine, with former opening batsman Justin Langer taking over from Lehmann as national coach.

England take on Australia in five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international this summer, live on Sky Sports.

Coverage of the opening ODI from The Oval begins on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 12:30pm on Wednesday June 13.

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