Kasprowicz named interim Queensland CEO

Michael Kasprowicz, the former Australia fast bowler, has been named as Queensland Cricket's interim chief executive, stepping down from his post on the Cricket Australia Board to do so.

QC management were surprised last month when Geoff Cockerill stepped down from the job with six months still to run on his three-year contract.

However Kasprowicz has elected to take on the role, and will go with the blessing of the CA chairman - and fellow Queenslander - David Peever. Kasprowicz had been a CA director since August 2011 when he took the place vacated by his former state and national team-mate Matthew Hayden.

"Michael is an experienced sporting and business leader with a deep affection and knowledge for the game," Peever said. "On behalf of the Cricket Australia board, I would like to thank Michael for his tenure and contributions. Michael has always represented Queensland interests in helping us achieve our vision of becoming Australia's favourite sport and a sport for all Australians.

"We are extremely pleased that Michael has chosen to take on the role of interim CEO at Queensland Cricket. I would like to wish him every success and look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role."

Kasprowicz had recently been granted an additional term on the CA Board and had been due to remain there until October 2018. "I'm pleased to be able to assist Queensland Cricket at this point in time and grateful to the Chairman David Peever and my fellow Directors on the Cricket Australia Board to enable me to take this on," Kasprowicz said.

"Queensland Cricket is in a good place at the moment with strong growth in participation and enormous potential emerging through the Youth Pathway and elite teams like the Bulls, Queensland Fire, and Brisbane Heat BBL and WBBL teams.

"Queensland is also well positioned financially, with recent strategic funding initiatives targeting the grassroots of the game and complementing the outstanding work of our many volunteers. Queensland Cricket continues to engage closely with Government at all levels to deliver some exciting outcomes for the game in the State."

The QC chairman Jim Holding said Kasprowicz's tenure would run alongside the search for longer-term candidates.

"Michael brings deep insights into the business of Australian Cricket as well as being closely attuned to Queensland Cricket and its operations,'' Holding said. "We are grateful to him for agreeing to take on this role in addition to his existing commitments.
 
"Since Geoff's resignation, the Board has conducted a thorough review of our strategic and operational requirements and will undertake a rigorous process to identify and secure the right person for our short and long-term needs as CEO."