Australian cricket pays tribute to Kerry Packer

Australian cricket is today mourning the passing of one of the most influential men in its history with news of the passing of Mr Kerry Packer.

Cricket Australia Chairman Creagh O’Connor said today that Kerry Packer stood alongside the late Sir Donald Bradman as one of the giants who have influenced the shape of Australian cricket.

“That cricket is today taken for granted as a natural part of the Australian way of life is in no small measure due to his influence,” Mr O’Connor said.

“The so-called ‘Packer revolution’ in the 1970s has left a lasting legacy in the way the game is played, administered and presented to the public via the influential Channel 9 telecast.”

“One-day international cricket is now an international phenomena as a result of Kerry Packer.”

“On behalf of Australian cricket, including all at Cricket Australia and its member state associations, and on behalf of the players he so admired, I offer Mrs Kerry Packer, and his children, James and Gretel, our sincere condolences.”

The following statement has been issued on behalf of Shane Warne

I would like to pass on my condolences to the whole Packer family (Ros, James and Gretel) on news of the passing of a great man in Kerry Packer.

He has been a wonderful and very close friend of mine for over 13 years. We shared a lot of time together talking about life, business, sharing funny stories and, in particular, cricket which was his love. These memories will last with me forever.

I will always remember you KP as a wonderful character, a close friend, and everyone involved in world cricket owes you so much.

Kerry was a very generous and caring man and I will miss you very much mate.