Kevin Roberts, Cricket Australia CEO is set to be axed from his position after losing the support of the board over his stewardship of the game during the coronavirus shutdown, local media reported on Monday.

He will be replaced by an interim CEO, as members of the board held an emergency meeting on Sunday to put handover arrangements in place for a replacement, as per The Australian newspaper.

The reports did not give details about the interim CEO, while CA did not immediately comment when contacted by Reuters.

CA chief Kevin Roberts defends board's decision to opt for staff pay cut

Roberts has been criticized for his treatment of the shutdown since a decision to furlough about 80% of staff at the head office in April to "proactively" manage the impact of COVID-19.

State associations that nominate a member to the board punished back proposals to cut their grants; while the players’ union called for a resolution to the dispute with the governing body after rejecting its forward estimates for the revenue that underpins player payments.  

Western Australia's state association was angered with CA’s decision to snub Perth as a venue for the upcoming India tour to Australia which is deemed an extremely lucrative one.

Roberts said earlier this month the domestic game stood to lose AUD 80 million ($54.55 million) due to COVID-19, with public banned from stadium and possibility of the ICC T20 World Cup being postponed.

Media pundits have accused Roberts of concocting a financial disaster, as India all but confirmed to tour Australia later this year, and spectators expected to return to stadiums from next month as COVID-19 infections dwindle.

"The good news for cricket has put further pressure on Roberts with states and players emboldened about their claims the game is not facing a financial crisis," The Australian said.

(Reuters inputs)