BBL executive Nick Cummins quits Thunder for Tasmania

Nick Cummins has become the first Big Bash League executive to graduate to a role of shepherding one of Australia's state associations, moving from the Sydney Thunder to succeed the longtime Tasmania chief executive David Johnston.

In a significant generational change to cricket administration in the Apple Isle, Cummins will commence at Bellerive Oval in April after four years at the Thunder, where he oversaw its evolution from the BBL's major basket case to the dual men's and women's champions last season and now a respected organisation in the burgeoning league.

He will take over from Johnston, who indicated in October that he would retire at the end of the season after holding the role for no fewer than 19 years.

"Cricket Tasmania undertook an extensive recruitment and interview process though national employment consultants and Mr Cummins was the successful candidate in what was a very strong field of local, interstate and international applicants" The Cricket Tasmania chairman Andrew Gaggin said.

"Nick will bring to Cricket Tasmania extensive experience in a wide variety of areas and also has an intricate knowledge of the Big Bash. Everyone at Cricket Tasmania looks forward to working with Nick into the future. At the same time we also recognise the outstanding service and commitment over 19 years of departing chief executive David Johnston."

Cummins said he was very happy to have graduated from the Thunder general manager position. "I was attracted to the role by the energy and optimism around the organisation, it's an exciting time to be involved in cricket with the growth of the Big Bash, women and girls' cricket and junior participation," he said.

"I'd like to thank Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones, chairman John Warn and the Board of Cricket New South Wales for their support during my time at Sydney Thunder. I'm very proud of what we have achieved at the club, none of which would have been possible without their guidance and encouragement.

"I'd also like to recognise the contribution of my staff, coaches and playing group in building Thunder into the club it is today - a club with passionate support, packed houses and great standing within our community. Finally, I would like to thank the fans for the energy and positivity they bring to every game, win or lose."

Jones said Cummins had been a major player in the growth of the Thunder over the past four years. "Nick has made an enormous contribution to NSW cricket by taking the Thunder from cellar dwellers who lost 19 games in a row, to a highly respected club that won both the men's and women's Big Bash titles last season," he said.

"The Thunder is also now strong off the field, with 6000+ members, a full book of sponsors and every home game sold out at Spotless Stadium this season. The Thunder was also the highest-rating club team in NSW in any sport in 2016. Nick has also built a fantastic community foundation for the Thunder.

"We are delighted for Nick that his performance has been recognised by Cricket Tasmania. Like our players, we want our staff to achieve their potential in the game, and Nick has well and truly earned the opportunity to take this next step. We will now advertise inside and outside cricket for a worthy successor."

One of Cummins' first items of business is likely to be work on solidifying Tasmania's claims to a regular Test match. Ironically it is NSW, the state from which he is moving, that has made no secret of wanting additional Test fixtures in the nation's most populous state, either at Canberra's Manuka Oval in the ACT or a second day/night Test for the SCG.

Cricket NSW are expected to advertise the role of Thunder general manager next week.