Melbourne: The Australian Cricket Board's (ACB) new cricket operations manager Michael Brown has the task of avoiding disputes overs player contracts ahead of next year's World Cup in South Africa.
Brown, the former chief executive at Melbourne Australian Football League club Hawthorn, replaces Richard Watson, who has taken up a new job at the ACB as international cricket manager. Part of Brown's brief will be negotiations with player's body the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA). "There's no doubt he'd be involved in that, there are obviously still some lingering issues ... in the lead-up to the World Cup (next year)," ACB chief executive James Sutherland said on Thursday. "That's certainly something Michael will be involved in, along with other people at the ACB." The Board and the ACA struck an agreement two months ago to solve a dispute over the agreement players had to sign for last month's Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka and the 2003 World Cup. The ACA was worried about what effects the International Cricket Council (ICC) agreement could have on players' personal sponsorships. While the overall dispute was resolved, there are still concerns about potential clashes between some Australian players' sponsorships and the companies sponsoring the cup. Brown will be responsible for elite cricket in Australia. "We've basically gone to the market looking for the best person to fill the role and Michael's come up trumps there," Sutherland said. Former Essendon football manager Matthew Drain also joined the board in the last month to work in game development. The ACB has also unveiled the new uniforms for its domestic umpires for this southern summer. The outfits for the Sheffield Shield and One-day cup will feature weather-proof jackets and polo shirts, instead of the old jackets and ties. "There's no great necessity, but you've got to feel sorry for the umpires having had to wear a coat and tie for so long," Sutherland said. "One of things we're coming down to is trying to get an increased comfort levels for umpires."
Tags: cricket, melbourne, australian cricket board, acb cricket operations manager michael brown, world cup in south africa, melbourne australian football league club hawthorn, richard watson, australian cricketers association, aca, acb chief executive james sutherland, champions trophy in sri lanka, 2003 world cup, international cricket council, icc, matthew drain, sheffield shield.
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