The head of Cricket Australia, Nick Hockley, has said he will quit his job by the end of the next cricket season. He has been working in Australian cricket for almost 13 years, and as the CEO of Cricket Australia for five years. He plans to leave around March 2025, or maybe later, depending on when they find someone new to take his place.
Hockley started as the temporary CEO in June 2020 and became the permanent CEO a year later. He did a good job leading the organization during the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his time as CEO, Cricket Australia has made plans for the future, like a five-year plan and important agreements with media companies like Seven West Media, Foxtel Group, and Disney Star in India.
Importantly, an agreement called Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was made with the Australian Cricketers’ Association. This agreement includes a big 66% raise in pay for female professional cricket players. Also, the Big Bash league has become more exciting under his leadership.
“This was a tough choice, but after a summer that looks really exciting and with our five-year plan moving forward nicely, it’s the perfect moment to take on a new challenge. This also gives the Board enough time to find the next CEO who can continue building on the strong base we have now,” Hockley mentioned during a press conference.
“This isn’t the moment for farewell, as I’m fully focused on the upcoming season and helping the Board with the changeover and a smooth handover.”
On the global scene, Hockley has managed a remarkable period of victories for Australia’s cricket teams. Notable achievements include Australia’s initial visit to Pakistan in more than 20 years, winning and keeping the women’s and men’s Ashes, and securing six major cricket trophies, such as the men’s and women’s Cricket World Cups (2022 and 2023), the men’s and women’s T20 World Cups (2021 and 2023), the World Test Championship in 2023, and the Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup in 2024. Additionally, Australia won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
Hockley started with Australian Cricket in October 2012 as the General Manager of Commercial & Marketing for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which attracted over a million spectators and had a substantial economic effect.
After a brief stint as Head of Commercial Projects, Hockley became CEO of the Local Organising Committee for the ICC T20 World Cup 2020, achieving unprecedented success at the Women’s T20 World Cup with a historic final at the Melbourne cricket ground.
