An influential figure in Australian cricket administration, John Knox, has joined the Trent Rockets board, marking the seventh of eight franchise investment deals to be completed under The Hundred’s private investment initiative.
John Knox, who serves as chair of Cricket New South Wales, is also a partner and head of Australia/New Zealand at Ares Management, one of two private equity firms that secured a £40 million deal to acquire a 49% stake in the Rockets earlier this year. The agreement, a joint venture with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, was finalized last week.
With this, only one deal remains the Oval Invincibles’ partnership between Surrey and Reliance Industries, owners of the Mumbai Indians. Though progress has been slow due to legal complexities, both parties are expected to finalize the agreement shortly.
The ECB had stated in July that two deals were pending completion, allowing investors additional time beyond the initial exclusivity period set in February.
John Knox
Knox’s appointment is independent of his Cricket NSW responsibilities. A significant influence in Australian cricket governance, he played a key role in the 2021 ousting of former Cricket Australia chair Earl Eddings and championed gender diversity initiatives within NSW cricket.
John Knox joins Jonathan Goldstein and Joe Stelzer from Cain International as directors representing the new investors on the Rockets board, while Nottinghamshire’s four seats include Mick Newell, the club’s director of cricket and Rockets’ general manager.
The Rockets recently faced a setback when Andy Flower, head coach of the men’s team since the competition’s inception, departed to lead London Spirit. Finding his successor will be an immediate priority for the new board.
The sale of stakes across the eight Hundred franchises has generated over £500 million, funds set to be distributed across the English cricket system, helping stabilize all 18 first-class counties.