Australian cricket’s selection panel has undergone a major shake-up with former Test great Rod Marsh appointed as chair, ex-chairman Trevor Hohns recalled and retired Test batsman Mark Waugh added to the new four-man structure.
Cricket Australia announced today that incumbent national coach Darren Lehmann and Marsh are the only two members of the previous panel to retain their positions, with outgoing chairman John Inverarity and former all-rounder Andy Bichel making way for the new committee.
The changes were ratified during a Cricket Australia board meeting held in Melbourne over the past two days, and announced by CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland who confirmed that Marsh, 66, had been contracted for three years to head up the panel.
“Rod Marsh is the right man to take on this important role having been a key member of the panel since 2011,” Sutherland said in a statement on the Cricket Australia website.
“His track record speaks for itself. He brings a wealth of experience to the position, having been a leading player, coach and most recently a selector.
“Throughout his days as a player he was the absolute embodiment of the Baggy Green cap and to this day is widely respected throughout the game.
“He has a great eye for talent and has strong relationships throughout international cricket.”
Following his retirement from international cricket, Marsh served as head coach at the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy in Adelaide and then undertook a similar role in England where he also worked as a national selector.
Marsh will also now relinquish his role as Cricket Australia’s Manager – Elite Coaching Development, and a replacement for this role will be sought.
In paying tribute to Marsh’s predecessor, John Inverarity, he confirmed that Inverarity had indicated he was prepared continue as a selector for a further year but that CA board had opted to take the opportunity to bring new personnel and insights into the selection process.
“When John Inverarity took over as National Selector the Australian Test team was ranked fourth in the world and its on-field performance was well short of where it is today,” Sutherland said.
“He leaves his post with Australian teams in a position of strength holding the number one ranking in Test and One-Day International cricket.
“That reflects his commitment and the astute judgment he brought to the role at a challenging time for Australian cricket.
“We thank John for his leadership and the integrity and insight he brought to the role throughout his tenure as the National Selector and the lifelong commitment he has given to Australian cricket.
“Andy Bichel (also) made a great contribution at the selection table for two and a half years just as he also did as a player for Australia and Queensland.
“He faced challenges balancing the heavy travel schedule associated with being a selector and coaching at the Chennai Super Kings with raising a young family (and) we fully understand and respect that.”
Hohns had previously served as a national selector from 1993-2006, including a decade as the panel’s chair, and since 2011 has served as a Queensland selector (a role he will relinquish in light of his new appointment) as well as the State’s Talent Manager.
