NSW says plans to invest in the game, won’t cut jobs

MELBOURNE, (Reuters) – Australia’s most powerful cricket state New South Wales says it has “no intention” of cutting staff, despite the national board’s move to slash jobs in a bid to shore up finances hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Cricket Australia (CA) laid off 40 staff last week and has tried to secure agreement for 25% reductions in grants to member states as part of cost-cutting measures.

While several states have also cut staff, including South Australia, Victoria and Queensland, Cricket NSW Chairman John Knox saw no reason for his state to go down that path.

“We continue to invest significantly in the game of cricket,” Knox told a podcast on state broadcaster ABC.

NSW has declined to accept reductions in state grants, cuts that were led by the board’s former Chief Executive Kevin Roberts, who resigned last week after months of criticism over his leadership during the pandemic.