Former Australian cricketer, Melanie Jones is the newly appointed Director of Cricket Australia. She is having the best year so far. Earlier in the year, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia. It is one of the most respected honours in Australia.
As reported on the International Cricket Council (ICC) website, Melanie Jones said, “I’m excited to have this opportunity to work with the Board to strengthen cricket’s bond with the community and ensure a healthy and sustainable future for the next generations”.
She played her first match for Australia, way back in 1997. The very next year she made her first Test century with 131 runs. He cricketing career spanned for eight long years. Jones played in 66 games. In 1997 and 2005, Australia had won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and Melanie Jones was part of it.
On this high note, Earl Eddings, the Cricket Australia Chair welcomed Jones. He is positive that Jones’ glorious career and rich experience will be a major advantage to the board.
He said, “Mel has been an active and inspiring part of the cricket fabric for many years and we are privileged to have her join the Board”.
She has been roped in to transform the cricket scene in Australia. Eddings said, “Australian Cricket has been undergoing significant change over the past two years and I’ve no doubt Mel’s experience on and off the field will be an asset to the team as we move into our next phase”.
He added, “Mel’s commitment to the game, and her advocacy, particularly for women in sport, will only bolster our continued focus on advancing cricket to be the number one sport for women and girls. Her understanding of the pressures and privilege of play, in addition to the challenges and opportunities of administration, are a welcome complement to an already-strong team. A trailblazer in cricket, it is only fitting that Mel is also the first female elected to the CA Board as a State nominee. The Cricket Victoria Board should be congratulated on their selection.”