Chappell ready to make big calls as Aussie selector
Batting great Greg Chappell, appointed Australia's first full-time
selector Monday, said there was no rush "to push anyone out the door"
with several stars in the twilight of their careers.
Cricket Australia (CA) announced that Chappell, 62, would leave his
current position as head coach of the national centre of excellence to
take up the official role of national talent manager within the next
month.
Andrew Hilditch will continue to chair the national selection panel
and Chappell will join as one of its four members.
Chappell's appointment comes at a time of change in Australian
cricket, left in a state of flux after the recent retirements of Shane
Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer.
Former Test captain Chappell said he was ready to make big calls in
the rebuilding of the Australian Test side.
"It comes with the territory," said Chappell, who ended Sourav
Ganguly's captaincy during his tenure as Indian coach.
With skipper Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Simon Katich all aged
35, Chappell may have to make the big calls sooner rather than later.
But he said: "You have to earn the right to play for Australia,
that's something the whole selection panel is conscious of, and will
bear in mind going forward.
"There's no rush to push anyone out the door."
Chappell's new position means either Merv Hughes, Jamie Cox or David
Boon will step down as a national selector.
It will be Chappell's second stint as a selector.
CA general manager Michael Brown said the appointment also meant
there was now a full-time communication outlet for players, coaches and
the media.
"I am really excited by the challenge of this new role. From a talent
management point of view, this will be an exciting period for Australian
cricket," Chappell said.
Brown said his organisation undertook a detailed review of its
cricket structure more than four years ago and Chappell's appointment
was the final step in that process. |