The Surfer

Ex-players get cold shoulder from NZC

"I'm surprised at New Zealand Cricket chairman Chris Moller expressing disappointment that former Black Caps haven't been putting their names forward to be involved on his organisation's board," writes Simon Doull

"I'm surprised at New Zealand Cricket chairman Chris Moller expressing disappointment that former Black Caps haven't been putting their names forward to be involved on his organisation's board," writes Simon Doull for Fairfax News. "It's become a hot potato following the Ross Taylor affair where a lack of cricket knowledge has been aired as a weakness of the board that governs the game here. I take umbrage at Moller's suggestion because I think it's a false accusation."
Do we actually need cricketers on the NZC board? To an extent, although I certainly don't think we need former players taking over the show. We still need people with business acumen because the game is very much a business these days. I just think we need a solid mix of both and they need to be elected appointments.
Amid the furore, has anyone stopped to think that Brendon McCullum made a brave decision accepting the Black Caps captaincy? asks Mark Richardson in the New Zealand Herald.
No one needs a PR makeover more than Brendon McCullum and had he turned down the captaincy, it would have put to bed any insinuation he had any hand in the move to remove Ross Taylor. It would have been a gesture that made sense in the volatile environment this saga has produced.
By accepting the role, he has stuck his neck out but has also demonstrated he has a strong desire to turn around the fortunes of our cricket team. Once again McCullum has chosen to go for the big play, not the safe play.