It's Just Not Cricket

Every week there is a scandal to write about. This week - Australian Cricket.

Cricket lost me years ago. I was an avid watcher during the era of Lillee, Marsh, Chappells and Thommo. Those were the days!

The sad reality is, the platform for this scandal involving Smith, Warner and Bancroft, was laid long ago.

I remember the press conference to announce Smith as the Australian captain. I am almost certain he questioned whether he was ready to be captain. There have been incidents where he has appeared unable to handle the responsibilities of being captain. Was he truly ready, supported and prepared? Who mentored him about leadership and building a team?

Last year we had the strike by Australian cricketers in order to gain a larger share of the pie earned by Cricket Australia. Apparently this was to assist with grass roots development. However, has it rewarded and encouraged bad behaviour and bad performance?

Interestingly, there is a lot of discussion regarding the culture of Cricket Australia. The behaviour we see on and off the field from the players is directly correlated to what is going on within the confines of that ‘business’. Was an unspoken understanding created that ‘we can get away with anything’? The precedent was there from cricket globally. Others have only suffered a fine or a one match ban. But Cricket Australia decided to create its own precedent. One day we may find out there is more to this.

What about the CEO, James Sutherland? After all, he has final responsibility for the performance of Cricket Australia. And if the coach, Darren Lehman, knew nothing of what was going on, it speaks volumes of the failings at every level in the business not to mention lack of communication.

This can happen in any business. People in leadership positions they are not ready for or not supported to succeed, team members not communicating, rewarding bad behaviour for a perceived benefit. The result will be the same – siloed teams, complaints, loss of reputation and loss of income.

There is a lesson in this for all of us.