Cricket Victoria’s General Manager – Cricket Performance, Shaun Graf, has announced his intention to retire at the end of the season after more than 30 years at Cricket Victoria as a player, selector, and administrator.
Cricket Victoria’s General Manager – Cricket Performance, Shaun Graf, has announced his intention to retire at the end of the season after more than 30 years at Cricket Victoria as a player, selector, and administrator.
During his near 32-year involvement, Graf was a player for five years, worked as a selector and Chair of Selectors for eight years and spent 24 years as an administrator.
Graf played 11 One-Day Internationals and was 12th man in two Tests for Australia following his ODI debut against New Zealand in 1980. He went on to represent Victoria and Western Australia, winning Sheffield Shield titles in both states.
Graf also represented Hampshire in the UK in county cricket and is a life member of St Kilda Cricket Club.
Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins said Graf had made an extraordinary contribution to the organisation.
“On behalf of our Chair David Maddocks, the Board, staff and players at Cricket Victoria, I’d like to congratulate Shaun on his long tenure and enormous contribution to the growth and success of Victorian cricket. Shaun has certainly become synonymous with both CV and Victoria’s cricket teams during his time,” Cummins said.
“Under Shaun’s leadership, our high-performance department has grown into one of the most respected in the industry. Shaun has never been shy about wanting more Victorians playing for Australia or about seeing the game grow at state and national level. He also played a pivotal role in the establishment and design of the CitiPower Centre as it stands today.”
“Shaun has had a key role in the generational development of so many of the players that have become household names over the last 20 years and he should be very proud of what he has achieved,” Cummins said.
Graf said the time was right for change.
“I’ve had a magnificent time both playing and working in cricket and couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved as a team over the years. It’s often said that you try and leave an organisation in better shape than when you arrived and I’m confident that’s the case after nearly three decades,” Graf said.
“I’ve been mulling over this decision for a few months now, but I believe the time is right for a change and to give a new person the chance to take the cricket performance program forward and to put their imprint on the game in this state like I have been fortunate enough to do,” Graf said.
“I’d like to sincerely thank all of the Directors, staff, players, coaches – past and present – and many more people who have made my time in cricket so enjoyable. It has been an unforgettable experience and a privilege to be involved for as long as I have.”
Graf will now begin a transition process and will finish at Cricket Victoria in early July.
Cricket Victoria will soon commence a global recruitment process for the role over the coming months.
Victorian domestic titles during Shaun’s administrative career:
Sheffield Shield: 2003-04, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2018-19
One-Day Cup: 1994-95, 1998-99, 2010-11, 2018-19
Twenty20 State Big Bash: 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2009-10
WNCL: 2002-03, 2004-05
Australian Debuts by Victorian-contracted players during Shaun’s tenure (by surname, all formats):
Fawad Ahmed, Kristen Beams, Darren Berry, Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Jess Duffin, Matthew Elliott, Sarah Elliott, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Ian Harvey, Shane Harwood, John Hastings, Rachel Haynes, Brad Hodge, Jon Holland, Julie Hunter, David Hussey, Mel Jones OAM, Meg Lanning, Michael Lewis, Glenn Maxwell, Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Clint McKay, Sophie Molineux, James Muirhead, Dirk Nannes, Darren Pattinson, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Clea Smith, Molly Strano, Marcus Stoinis, Annabel Sutherland, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, Shane Warne, Cameron White, Brad Williams, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck and Georgia Wareham.
