Cricket NSW chairman John Knox says the sport’s leadership is too white, too male

In a simple statement to a predominantly white male audience, NSW chairman John Knox has cited the lack of diversity in the governance of cricket as one of the game’s greatest challenges.

Knox’s clearest was on the night he also articulated the national governing body’s pledge that Australian cricket should consider private equity investments to keep up with the money available to players in overseas Twenty20 leagues Declaration of intent less with words than with a gesture.

Cricket NSW Chairman John Knox.Recognition:Dominik Lorrimer

Speaking at the national association’s annual general meeting, Knox asked the association’s members to look around to see how many white men there were and went on to explain how the group was falling short of Australia’s rapidly diversifying population.

“While Cricket NSW has fueled the growth and professionalism of women’s football, leading to exceptional success on and off the field, the administration of our game remains – and let’s all look around now – very white and very manly,” Knox said.

“It doesn’t just have to start with our board, but with the administration of clubs and associations across the country. Some of us are ahead of others – but we all have work to do here as it’s crucial to keep the game moving forward.”

Those words echoed calls from players like Lisa Sthalekar and Usman Khawaja that cricket should better reflect Australia’s demographics and make decisions in the interests of all who loved the game.

Usman Khawaja celebrates his second century in the SCG test this year.Recognition:`

“One of the big things is the people around the game, coaches, staff at CA. They’ve been really good at promoting gender equality, but I think the same must be done for multiculturalism,” Khawaja told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald last year. “It goes all the way up, to the board of directors.

“Is there anyone who reflects the general population of Australia or is it just older cricketers who are predominantly white Anglo-Saxon players? That’s just the whole point, that’s it. Cricket is a very white sport that has been around in Australia for a long time. So if things don’t change from above, it’s very difficult to channel that down because that’s where all the decisions are made.”