ZCZC
BSP-03
CRICKET-AUS-LANGER-SELECTORS
Cricket Australia hands Langer more selection powers
SYDNEY, July 27, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Australia coach Justin Langer was handed
more power Friday in a shake-up of the national cricket selection process
following the resignation of Mark Waugh.
A streamlined selection panel will now consist of just three people —
Langer, Trevor Hohns and Greg Chappell — with Waugh not being replaced.
Langer will chair the Twenty20 panel, with support from the other two,
while Hohns will head the Test and one-day process in consultation with
Langer and Chappell.
Previously, Waugh — who leaves next month to join pay-TV company Fox
Sports — focused only on T20s.
“This sees Justin take on additional responsibility as both the head coach
and lead selector in Twenty20 cricket, as we build towards the ICC World T20
in Australia in 2020,” said Cricket Australia’s team performance chief Pat
Howard.
“Justin has performed a similar role previously while coach of the Perth
Scorchers, and has a wealth of knowledge around the Big Bash League and its
players.”
Cricket Australia’s selection panel has gone through various formats over
the years. At one point, it included five people.
Langer was appointed in May after the 12-month suspensions of ex-captain
Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner over a cheating scandal which also
saw previous coach Darren Lehmann quit.
BSS/AFP/MRI/0850 hrs