In what was a tumultuous time in Cricket Australia's Director appointment, Mel Jones' elevation as a state nominee director from Victoria inspired hopes among the women's cricketers. When Cricket Australia Chairman Earl Eddings, who was also the previous Victorian nominee to CA, lost the backing of his state when he took over the CA boss role from David Peever amid the fallout from the cultural review last year.

Apart from Eddings, other two positions held by Mark Taylor and Bob Every were vacant too in the past 15 months but with Jones' appointment, the board has the full complement of nine, with six state-nominated directors and three independents.

"Mel's commitment to the game and her advocacy, particularly for women in sport, will only bolster our continued focus on advancing cricket to be the number one sport for women and girls."

In her career, Jones had represented Australia in five Tests and 61 one-dayers, which also includes two World Cup-winning campaigns. Since her retirement in 2005, she has remained in the game and filled various sports administration roles, including in Indigenous communities, schools, women's and pathways cricket. She has also been one of the leading and most popular commentators of the sport.