Cricket Australia: History and Structure of Australian Cricket's Governing Body
Cricket Australia (CA) is the national governing body for cricket in Australia, formed in 2003 from the Australian Cricket Board. This guide covers its history, structure and role in world cricket.
Cricket Australia (CA) is the national governing body for cricket in Australia, formed under its current name in 2003 when the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) was rebranded. The ACB itself was formed in 1905 as the Board of Control for Cricket in Australia. Cricket Australia administers all levels of cricket from the Test team to grassroots, oversees the six state cricket associations, the Big Bash League, the Sheffield Shield and all other domestic competitions. It is one of the three most commercially powerful cricket boards alongside the BCCI and ECB.
CA's Commercial Structure
Cricket Australia's revenues come primarily from broadcast rights — deals with Channel Seven (free-to-air) and Fox Cricket (pay-TV) for the Australian summer cricket programme. The BBL and international home series (particularly Ashes series, India visits and South Africa series) are the primary commercial drivers. CA distributes revenues to the six state associations and to grassroots development. The ACB/CA pioneered professional player contracts in the 1970s (following the World Series Cricket dispute with Kerry Packer) and has long maintained a structured central contracting system.
CA's Response to the Sandpaper Gate
Cricket Australia's governance and culture was scrutinised following the 2018 sandpaper gate ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town. In its aftermath, CA commissioned the Longstaff Report — an independent review of Australia's cricket culture — which found that winning had been prioritised above all else and that CA's culture required reform. The report was a significant moment of institutional self-examination. CA implemented cultural change programmes and the suspensions of Steve Smith (12 months), David Warner (12 months) and Cameron Bancroft (9 months) were unprecedented in their severity.
Frequently asked questions
When was Cricket Australia formed?
Cricket Australia was established under its current name in 2003, though it had operated as the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) since 1905. The rebranding to Cricket Australia reflected a broader marketing and governance modernisation by the organisation.
How does Cricket Australia support state cricket?
Cricket Australia distributes revenues from international cricket and broadcast deals to the six state cricket associations (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania). States operate the Sheffield Shield, Marsh Cup (50-over) and BBL franchises under CA's governance framework. State associations also have their own revenue from domestic cricket and local sponsorship.
What was the Longstaff Report?
The Longstaff Report was an independent cultural review of Cricket Australia commissioned after the 2018 sandpaper gate ball-tampering scandal. It found that Australia's cricket culture had prioritised winning too heavily over ethics and sporting values. The report led to cultural change initiatives within CA and the Australian national team, and was one of the most significant governance reviews in Australian sporting history.