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| Saturday, 24 January 2004 |
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The road to success Three weeks from today the Australian cricketers will be in Sri Lanka for a six-week tour and once again cricket circles will be buzzing with excitement as much as it did during the recently concluded tour here by England. Anyone following the success of Australia will know that they are the team to beat in both forms of the game - Test as well as One-day International because they are the best in the business today. As the saying goes getting to the top is easy, but remaining there is the most difficult part. However in the past few years the Australians have managed to defy that old adage by continuing to dominate world cricket at both levels. What makes them such a formidable unit? Apart from the usual training, game plans and team meetings amongst players and team officials, Cricket Australia (CA) has put in place a strategic plan to ensure its success at all levels of the game. 'From Backyard to Baggy Green' is a document of extensive research, analysis and discussion done by CA where stakeholders from all levels of the game have contributed their time and shared thoughts on the future of Australian cricket. Interviews were conducted with CA directors, state and territory association representatives, players, sponsors, media, umpires, coaches and CA staff supplemented by a comprehensive survey distributed to more than 500 members of the cricket community. CA's mission is to advance cricket as Australia's national sport by: growing participation and interest in the game; fostering the success of Australian teams; and striving for commercial excellence, in a manner that upholds the tradition, integrity and spirit of cricket. The four strategic priorities CA has identified that will set the course for Australian cricket are: (1) strengthen and protect the spirit of cricket; (2) thrive at the elite level; (3) attract, develop and keep people in the game; and (4) ensure cricket has a strong and sustainable financial base. The three strategic initiatives that support priority (1) are: Take a leadership role in fostering the spirit of cricket; Educate the cricket community about the spirit of cricket; and Reinforce the history, tradition and culture of cricket within the broader community. Seven strategic initiatives have been developed to support priority (2): Foster the ongoing success of elite Australian teams; Optimise the talent development function of state cricket; Explore innovations at the elite level; Develop a pool of world-class elite umpires; Nurture and develop high performance cricket; Foster strong relationships with other cricket nations; Support the ICC's efforts to strengthen the world game. The nine strategic initiatives that support priority (3): Adopt a collaborative approach to game development; Promote cricket s the sport of choice for young Australians; Clarify the structure and role of club cricket and support a strong composition; Acknowledge the valuable contribution of cricket volunteers; Nurture and grow women's cricket; Extend the cricket community to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; Extend the cricket community to include non-English speaking background Australians; Build a strong network of coaches, umpires, administrators and curators; Harness technology to actively support game development activities. Eight strategic initiatives support priority (4): Sustain and grow existing revenue sources; Build the value of cricket's brands; Introduce new revenue streams; Deliver technical and digital initiatives; Adopt a stakeholder service focus; Ensure CA operational excellence; Promote excellence in CA governance; Explore opportunities for Australian cricket benefit from collective services. There is no doubt strategic planning is essential for effective administration of sport and Sri Lanka Cricket and other sports bodies could surely makes use of some of these valuable points to make sport more effective in this country. Hookes and Mendis The tragic end to former Australian Test cricketer David Hookes' life brings to light the dangers high profile sportsmen and women can be exposed to. Hookes died of head injuries sustained in an assault outside a Melbourne hotel where the state he was coaching Victoria were celebrating a one-day victory over South Australia. Of the 23 Tests he appeared for his country between 1976-7 and 1985-6 the swashbuckling left-hander played one against Sri Lanka at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy in 1983 where he recorded his maiden Test century. As a member of Greg Chappell's Australian side, Hookes set the Asgiriya Stadium alight with cuts, pulls and drives that saw him race to a century between lunch and tea. By the time Hookes came to bat at 290-3 the stage was set for him to mount an assault on the hapless Sri Lankan bowling line up which dearly paid the penalty of playing two leg-spinners Somachandra de Silva and Roshan Gunaratne. Hookes punished the tiring bowlers during the second afternoon taking his score from 43 to 143. With Allan Border (47) he put on 155 runs in an unfinished fifth wicket partnership of which his share was 106. Hookes' 156-minute knock comprised two sixes and 17 fours. Australia went onto amass 514-4 and dismissed Sri Lanka twice for 271 and 205 to win inside four days by an innings. Prior to leaving on the tour to Sri Lanka, Hookes was quoted in 'Australian Cricket': "I would love to score my maiden Test century against the Sri Lankans. I just want to get the hundred out of the way so I can say 'Great, I've done that' and then get on with my cricket." Hookes also distinguished himself on the field. Of the two catches he held, one was to dismiss Duleep Mendis, the Sri Lankan captain, who has taken over the important position as Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lanka Cricket filling the post vacated by another former Sri Lanka captain Anura Tennekoon. In his illustrious career as player, captain and administrator Mendis has served the game well. The job of CEO will be the most demanding and he will have to draw out all his cricketing experience if he is to succeed in that position. |
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