Two of Australian cricket’s most respected former players are reportedly eyeing off the soon-to-be vacated position on the country’s selection board.
Following Rod Marsh’s announcement that he will step down as Australia’s chairman of selectors, former star players Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie have been touted as possible replacements.
After a tremendously successful five-year stint in England coaching county side Yorkshire, Gillespie said he was considering sticking his hand up to take over from Marsh.
“There is a national selectors job up next year and I might put my name up for that,” Gillespie said.
“All I have done the last five years is select teams for Yorkshire.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out. If there are opportunities, I will look at it.”
The former fast bowler won back-to-back county titles with Yorkshire during his time in England, and will take the reins of the Adelaide Strikers in this year’s Big Bash for the second season in a row.
In his first year at the helm of the Adelaide side last season, Gillespie coached the side to the minor premiership, only to see the Strikers bundled out of the finals by eventual champions the Sydney Thunder.
Gillespie was previously a contender to replace Craig McDermott as Australia’s bowling coach – a role eventually taken by David Saker – and has been touted as a possible future coach of Australia.
Gillespie’s former captain Waugh has also said he’d consider taking the role at the head of Australia’s selection board.
“I’d listen to it if the opportunity came up, but there are a lot of things you’ve got to throw into the mix and see whether it’s the right time,” Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I think there are a lot of good cricket brains in Australia. No one has asked me, but I’d listen to it.”
If the former Test skipper was to join the selection panel, he’d be the second Waugh to join the board. His twin brother, Mark, has been a national selector since 2014.
Steve’s openness towards the role marks something of a change in attitude for the former captain. While Waugh has remained one of the more respected voices in Australian cricket – he was on the Argus review panel in 2011 – he has rarely involved himself with the national team since retiring.
Both Waugh and Gillespie were critical members of Australia’s all-conquering Test team of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Waugh captained Australia in 57 Tests, 41 of which he won, and scored 10,927 runs in his 168 matches.
Gillespie’s career was curtailed by a series of injuries following his debut in 1996-97, but he still managed to pick up 259 wickets (and score a famous unbeaten double-century against Bangladesh) in a 71-Test career.
Marsh will vacate the chairman of selectors role at the end of June next year, with his replacement expected to be named well before then.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Dizzy might get the nod as his BB and HS are better than Steve's.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Be interesting having Steve and Mark Waugh on the same panel.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Agreed Bushy and Paul
Craig Swanson
Guest
Steve Waugh as the new chairman gets my vote. Dizzy as one of the selectors for sure. Sack the incumbents when Red Wine Rod goes and bring in three new faces.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I agree, selectors need to be separate from the setup for the reasons you've listed. By all means listen to recommendations from the coaches and captains but ultimately they make the final decision and sign off on it.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I actually don't like having the coach be a selector. Mind you it's not clear to me what exactly the head coach of the Australian cricket team does. If it is really more of a manger style thing whereby he comes up with tactics, reviews the opposition etc, then I suppose it is fair enough, but do the players actually go to Lehman for coaching assistance or is that left to the specialist coaches? People have said it before, but it's a bit rough on the players, how can you be expected to ask for help to work on your game when that person is also selector and might start thinking you shouldn't be selected because you're apparently struggling.
jamesb
Guest
I don't think tugga would put himself in that position anyway. Did see highlights of his young boy. Austin does look impressive.
jameswm
Roar Guru
He he - but if you knew anything about the guy, he'd step down by then. My son is actually mates with Austin but anyway...
jamesb
Guest
If S.Waugh became selector, would he be in the position long enough to select his son?
Peter
Roar Rookie
Just don't play any John Williamson Tugga, OK.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
If I had my choice Gillespie would be coach and head of Selectors. The guy has such an astute mind and will deal with issues that need to be dealt with
Mahatma Kowt
Guest
There must be a few shekels on offer to garner this interest from so called 'legends' ie former NSW players and to get their own boys in.
Yangbong
Guest
Oh wow! Steve Waugh is as steely and unemotional as anyone. I couldn't imagine Steve keeping players who aren't performing. I think he would make an awesome chairman. What a potential coup for Australian cricket. I see Dizz playing a more active role in a coaching capacity. Would also bring a lot to the table as chairman. But my money is on him or JL to take over from Boof in the near future.