Andrew Hilditch apponted new selector

[Gilchrist]

From Cricinfo:
Andrew Hilditch, the former Australian batsman, has been appointed as the new chairman of the National Selection Panel, replacing Trevor Hohns, who resigned from the post recently.

Hilditch, 49, played 18 Tests for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring two centuries in the space of three innings, against West Indies and England in 1984-85. However, Hilditch had no reasonable defencsive technique and was known for his penchant for the fatal hook shot, one that eventually led to his downfall.

The Adelaide-based Hilditch was appointed as a national selector in 1996-97 and along with illustrious names like Allan Border, Trevor Hohns and David Boon, he helped guide Australia to world dominance at both Test and one-day level.

Creagh O'Connor, the chairman of the Australia board, said that Hilditch's appointment had the full backing of the board. "We have confidence in Andrew as our new chairman of selectors," he said. "He is an experienced member of what has been a successful selection panel. Andrew has served on the NSP for 10 years and is regarded as an excellent communicator who has a very good rapport with the players.

Hilditch said that he was looking forward to the role. "Naturally I'm very excited about my appointment and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead. Trevor has done a fantastic job in the time he has chaired the panel and I can only hope to perform to a similar level. I have no doubt that it is a challenging role and there will be many tough decisions ahead, however, our objective is to maintain Australia's position at the top of world cricket by selecting the best teams as we see fit."

? Cricinfo

 

[genghis_khan]

that man will have his work cut out in the next few years.

 

[Abhas]

lets see the changes he will be able to make to the australian side...

 

[aussie1st]

Interesting choice, our selectors will be put to the test shortly. Gilly isn't performing, they may well have to tell him to perform or ship out. One of them may have to drop Gilly which I never thought would happen.

 

[James219]

Yeah, interesting choice, but I suppose it was expected, to add to that, he's an intelligent person, used to be a lawyer I think, so he's got the potential to succeed as chairman.

 

[genghis_khan]

Hilditch will be faced with the task of ushering Australian cricket through this transitional phase.
He will be faced with dropping the likes of Martyn, Gilchrist, McGrath, Langer, Hayden and Kasprowicz in the next few years and not letting them back.

he and his panel will come under intense public and media scrutiny no matter what they do.

 

[aussie1st]

The 1st and last guys have already been dropped so it's less harder to drop them again. The other 4 will be extrememly hard to drop, he'll be hoping they retire.

 

[IloveGilly]

Going to be very interesting to see what happens by the Ashes.

 

[puddleduck]

Going to be very interesting to see what happens by the Ashes.

Certainly will, especially since as time has gone on, the Aussie team, having originally dropped half the team, seems to have almost gone full-circle and now is almost playing exactly the same side except with the addition of Hussey.

 

[aussie1st]

Stupid move IMO, now was the time to breed in youngsters while the old experience guys are still around. Now we have to restart that once we do drop Kasper and Martyn again.

 

[puddleduck]

Martyn for me shows no signs that he will be any more capable of dealing with the English quick bowlers during the next Ashes. Perhaps they feel if he does the business then they are vindicated, whilst if he doesn't it has given Clarke enough time to hopefully improve his game and earn his place back?

Kaspers recall I didn't understand at all. Of all your quicks over the years he was always the least threatening, he just had a slightly better tour than Dizzy who had a mare. Perhaps their thinking is that the side in England was always good enough, but got caught short, and they will all be desperate to win the Ashes back?

 

[James219]

Well Kasper's recall was, essentially, a result of the selectors actually fearing a loss in SA with an inexperienced attack, and knowing full well public reactions to that possibility, so it was a defensive move to provide guidance and ensure the pressure situations would be handled with maturity. Strange move, it worked for the short term situation, but still wasn't great. But after they'd selected the squad, they realised the opponent......

 

[aussie1st]

Martyn for me shows no signs that he will be any more capable of dealing with the English quick bowlers during the next Ashes. Perhaps they feel if he does the business then they are vindicated, whilst if he doesn't it has given Clarke enough time to hopefully improve his game and earn his place back?

Kaspers recall I didn't understand at all. Of all your quicks over the years he was always the least threatening, he just had a slightly better tour than Dizzy who had a mare. Perhaps their thinking is that the side in England was always good enough, but got caught short, and they will all be desperate to win the Ashes back?

Agree on both points. Martyn showed signs of his Ashes problem in SA, quick start then getting out. Against England we can't afford that.

No point in Kasper, even if we feared losing we still could have brought Dizzy over. He has tons of experience and once rated 2nd best bowler in the World. Also way younger than Kasper.

 

[James219]

Yeah, I agree, Gillespie would have been the obvious and most productive choice, has been a class performer for years and required that extra boost of confidence through selection that'd possibly allow his rhythm to develop onto the international scene once again. Good point about the age, there's actually a decent future in Gillespie, and a consistent platform from which the youth can grow from, whereas Kasprowicz would constantly have question marks over his name due to his age, and a poor performance would lead to uncertainty within the team environment....