Rod Marsh resigns from National Selection Panel in the aftermath of the series loss

Back to back embarrassing defeats in the ongoing home series against South Africa has led to the resignation of the chairman of National Selection Panel Rod Marsh. He has stepped down from his position with immediate effect. After a hefty loss in the opening Test at WACA, Australia sunk deeper into misery after they were handed an innings defeat in the following Test at Hobart. The latest loss took Australia’s winless streak to 5 straight matches and has also cost them the current series, inviting a lot of criticism from press and experts.

Rod Marsh’s resignation comes as the first huge decision in the aftermath of Australia’s recent string of poor performances. At this stage, no replacement for Marsh has been named, with the Cricket Australia Board set to hold an extraordinary meeting later this evening, where a decision on an interim appointment is expected to be reached.

“This is my own decision and no-one within Cricket Australia has pressured me or even suggested that I should do this,” the 96-Test veteran said.

“Clearly, though, 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.

“I have always had the best interests of Australian cricket foremost in my heart, and that’s why I have made this decision. I wish the captain, coach and the team all the best going forward. We will be great again.”

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland earlier today forecasted changes ahead of next week’s day-night Test in Adelaide.  However, those changes had referred to playing personnel, and in speaking on his decision to end his two-and-a-half year tenure in the position, Marsh said he had not been forced out of the role.

Marsh and fellow selectors Trevor Hohns and Mark Waugh met in Hobart during the course of Australia’s innings defeat to South Africa, before the 69-year-old passed on his decision to resign immediately to Cricket Australia. He had previously flagged his intention not to continue after his contract expires in June next year.

Joe Burns replaced an injured Shaun Marsh, and South Australian pair Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie both made their Test debuts in place of Mitchell Marsh and Peter Siddle (also injured). Following the second Test defeat, however, coach Lehmann indicated more changes would occur ahead of the third Test, beginning November 24 in Adelaide, with the upcoming round of the Sheffield Shield, beginning tomorrow, pivotal in that decision-making process.

“There’ll definitely be change,” Lehmann said. “The guys have got to play Shield cricket. By the end of the Shield game we’ll have a squad for you. I thought (Josh) Hazlewood was great, (Mitchell) Starc’s getting back to his best and then you’ve got (Steve) Smith and (David) Warner.

“Outside of that everyone’s got to make some runs and take some wickets. It’s a really important four days of Shield cricket. The lads are really keen to get out of here and get ready to play that game and prepare the best they can. (Existing) spots, performances are going to count, but you’ve got to have an eye to the future as well, it’s trying that juggling act.”

What impact – if any – the resignation of Marsh will have on that outlook is unknown, however, the run of five Test defeats on the trot appears to have forced the selectors’ hands.

Cricket Australia’s Chairman, David Peever, thanked Marsh for his tenure and involvement in Australian cricket.

“Rod has played a pivotal role during a time of change in Australian cricket, which has seen the team hold the top positions in both Test and One-Day rankings as well as secure an ICC Cricket World Cup victory,” Peever said.

“We understand this decision has not come easily for Rod and on behalf of Australian cricket, we thank him for his leadership and the integrity and insight he brought to the role throughout his tenure as the National Selector and the lifelong commitment he has given to our sport. Above all else, Rod is an outstanding person.”