Dodemaide to call stumps in 2018

This timing will enable Mr Dodemaide to oversee the upcoming 2017-18 cricket season and the completion of the new Victorian Cricket & Community Centre (VCCC) project at Junction Oval, as well as conduct a thorough hand-over to his successor.

Mr Thomas said: “Tony formally advised the Board at last night’s meeting of his plans. We accept Tony’s decision with regret. At the same time, we completely understand his desire to pursue new professional challenges after more than a decade as CEO.”

“Tony has been a wonderful servant for Victorian cricket, making an outstanding contribution as CEO on top of his decorated playing career for Footscray, Victoria and Australia. He has led the transformation of Cricket Victoria from a traditional state association to a multi-faceted organisation with high energy and enthusiasm.”

“As an administrator, he has overseen a decade of impressive on and off field achievements. These notably include the long-desired new home for Victorian cricket, arguably the most successful on-field period for the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers in Victorian cricket history and strong Victorian representation in Australian teams. This is in addition to the establishment of two thriving Big Bash subsidiaries, record levels of participation and the full integration of women and girls’ cricket into Cricket Victoria’s core business,” Mr Thomas said.

“As is typical of Tony, he has considered the best interests of Victorian cricket first and foremost in this decision. An announcement now gives ample time for Cricket Victoria to plan a thorough process of recruitment and transition to his successor. The new CEO will have big shoes to fill.”

Speaking on the news, Mr Dodemaide said: “It has been a privilege and honour to be at the helm of Victorian cricket for over a decade. I am pleased to have contributed to both the successes and solving the many challenges that have arisen in the changing local and national cricket scenes during that time.”

“Of course there will always be new challenges on the horizon, but for me the completion of, and transition to the new home of Victorian cricket at the Junction Oval – a facility that will set up the sport in this state for the next 50 years – is an obvious and appropriate time to pass on the baton for a new phase of leadership,” Mr Dodemaide said.

“I have enjoyed my time with Cricket Victoria immensely and am hugely proud of the achievements in that period. I believe the foundations are now in place to maintain the strength across our business. The future of cricket here in Victoria is bright.”

“Whilst I am fully committed to seeing the Junction Oval project through to completion and management of another busy local, domestic and Ashes season, I am also excited about the prospect of exploring options for my own next career phase, and look forward to doing so with full transparency for all concerned,” he said.

The Cricket Victoria Board will begin recruitment processes for a new Chief Executive over the coming months to facilitate an appropriate transition in the first quarter of 2018.