Mumbai: The pangs of failure from the Australian cricket team has another casualty. Aussie chief selector Rod Marsh decided to quit with immediate effect post the Australian loss in its third home series against South Africa on Tuesday. Marsh relinquished the post as he felt the need for “some fresh thinking”.
Allegedly succumbing to the media pressure regarding persistent failure of the team after a run of five heavy Test defeats, he decided to step down on Wednesday, effective immediately.
“This is my own decision and no one within Cricket Australia has pressured me or even suggested that I should do this,” Marsh states nevertheless.
Rumours has that Marsh wanted to see out his contract which extends till the middle of next year but Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland voiced support for him to see out his contract, hours before the official announcement.
“He said he will finish up June and we will make decisions about where and how we transition to that in the future,” Sutherland told reporters in Hobart.
“Clearly, it is time for some fresh thinking, just as it is for our Test team to welcome some new faces as we build for the future,” a sea change of attitude was noticed in Marsh with his announcement on Wednesday.
“I have always had the best interests of Australian cricket foremost in my heart, and that’s why I have made this decision,” added the former wicketkeeper.
Cricket Australia announced an exceptional meeting later on Wednesday in order to come up with an interim replacement. The selection panel now consists of Mark Waugh, Trevor Hohns and Lehmann.
Former Test fast bowler Jason Gillespie and Test captain Ricky Ponting have been touted as possible successors.
A delay in Australian team’s next week’s third and final day-night Test in Adelaide up til Sunday has been announced, since
selectors can assess players’ form in domestic Sheffield Shield matches.