Back to the future for Australian cricket?
No deadline has been given to find a full-time replacement for selection boss Rod Marsh in the wake of his shock resignation after Cricket Australia welcomed back the man with the Midas touch, Trevor Hohns.
PAST ECHOES: Rod Marsh with opener David Warner this month, and Hohns with opener Matthew Hayden in 2002. Photos via AAP
Hohns, who presided over one of Australia’s most successful Test periods, was named CA interim chairman of selectors at an extraordinary meeting last night.
His appointment comes after Marsh resigned as Australia slumped to its fifth-straight Test match loss when beaten by an innings and 80 runs against South Africa in Hobart.
Former Test captain and CA national talent manager Greg Chappell will also join the panel on an interim basis.
Jason Gillespie, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting are among the high-profile names expected to be discussed for the full-time role.
However, CA said they would not be rushed into a decision after welcoming back Hohns and national talent manager Chappell.
CA will need Hohns’ winning touch after he was chairman of selectors during one of Australian cricket’s golden periods.
He was selector from 1993 to 2006, a tenure that included 10 years as chairman of the panel during Australia’s record run of 16-straight Test wins under skipper Steve Waugh (1999-2001).
His experience will be vital in a crunch selection meeting ahead of the third Test in Adelaide against South Africa.
Up to six changes could be made to snap Australia’s Test losing streak when Hohns, Chappell, Mark Waugh and coach Darren Lehmann sit down to discuss the team on Sunday.
CA chairman David Peever said there was no deadline for identifying permanent members of the selection panel.
“It is vital that Australian cricket finds the best candidate for this role,” Peever said of Hohns who will relinquish his role as Queensland Cricket state talent manager.
“Trevor is highly experienced as a selector, and will ensure we place our best players on the field this summer while we seek a permanent replacement for Rod.”
Chappell has previously served on the selection panel during the 1980s and again in 2010.
But it is his most recent role of identifying young talent that may benefit the Australian team the most.
“His in-depth knowledge of up-and-coming talent in the Australian system will be invaluable,” Peever said.
Australia will be trying to avoid a series whitewash against South Africa when the day-night third Test in Adelaide starts next week.
“Naturally the board and our senior executive are disappointed with the recent Test performances, but we have every confidence that all those involved, including our coaching staff and team management, will do their utmost to turn that around,” Peever said.
-AAP
