Jones joins CA board after months of turmoil

FORMER Test star turned commentator Mel Jones is set to take up a seat on the board of Cricket Australia, filling the final position left vacant following the most controversial 18 months in the organisation’s history.

The respected 47-year-old was awarded the Order of Australia Medal this year and inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2017.

She played five Tests and 61 ODIs for Australia before beginning a commentary career in the UK last decade, worked in administration in South Africa and Australia and was one of the first women commentators on the IPL in 2015.

She is now a commentator with Fox Cricket.

Her appointment signals an end to a tumultuous time dating back to the pay dispute in 2017.

Three directors, including chairman David Peever, left the board last year in the fallout from the scathing cultural review and the disastrous MOU negotiations.

Peever was pushed to resign by NSW Cricket as anger rose over his handling of the review which was commissioned in the wake of the sandpaper scandal in South Africa.

His exit was precipitated by the publication of a scathing email from WA director Bob Every who attacked Peever’s leadership and handling of critical issues.

Mark Taylor resigned soon after Peever quit, citing disillusionment over the board’s relationship with the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

The exodus coincided with the resignation of chief executive James Sutherland and the appointment of Kevin Roberts to that position and sparked further curious board moves.

Peever’s recently appointed deputy chairman Earl Eddings, who was the board candidate nominated by Victorian Cricket, was elevated to the vacant chairman’s role despite the protests of his own state.