Perth, Australia
Australian coach Justin Langer revealed Thursday long-time batting assistant Graeme Hick was among 40 jobs axed due to COVID-19, and said telling him was like “facing Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh without a helmet and a box on”.
Cricket Australia announced the round of cuts on Wednesday, a day after chief executive Kevin Roberts resigned, with the former England batsman one of those let go.
Langer said it was “really hard” breaking the news to Hick — as tough as facing the legendary West Indian pace duo. “You won’t meet a person of greater integrity than Graeme Hick. His worth ethic is unbelievable, his knowledge of the game is unbelievable, so it was a really tough call,” he said.
“It’s nothing that he’s done, it’s more of an impact of the cost-cutting that we’re doing because of the COVID situation.”
Some 15 percent of Cricket Australia’s staff are being made redundant to save Aus$40 million (US$27.6 million), with the governing body concerned about further financial shocks this year. Langer said the cuts would have an impact on the national team.—APP
