Mark Waugh steps down as Australian national selector
Mark Waugh will not continue in his role as the national selector for the Australian Cricket team once his contact expires on 31 August 2018, Cricket Australia (CA) announced via a press release.
Waugh, 52, will remain on the selection panel for Australia's tour to England, where they will play five one-day internationals and a one-off Twenty20 International starting 13 June. They will then travel to Zimbabwe for a tri-nation T20I series which will also involve Pakistan alongside the hosts.
However, he will not seek a renewal, given his commentary commitments.
Waugh took up the position as national selector four years ago in May 2014 and is currently on the panel with Greg Chappell, former Australia captain, Trevor Hohns, the chairman and Justin Langer, the new head coach of the national side.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the national selection panel, and it has been a tough decision to choose not to continue in my role,” said Waugh on his decision to step down. “Working alongside my fellow selectors, the coaching staff and players over the past four years has been a privilege, and I’m proud of the achievements of the Australian teams across all formats in this time.
“I firmly believe Australian cricket has a wealth of talented players in its ranks right now, and I look forward to watching the team continue to go from strength to strength in the years to come.”
For the past year, Waugh was specifically in charge of the national T20 side in a two-man panel along with the Australian head coach. Australia are currently second on the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Team Rankings, just four rating points behind Pakistan. The ICC World T20 is the only major title that Australia have not yet won, and they are eyeing the 2020 edition at home.
Pat Howard, CA’s Executive General Manager – Team Performance, said, “Mark was specifically brought in for white ball cricket and he should be very pleased with his contribution to the 2015 World Cup victory. In recent times, Mark’s in-depth knowledge of the T20 game and the KFC Big Bash League has come to the fore.
“As lead selector in this format, he has identified talent in the Big Bash League and helped to create a strong Australian T20 squad, which has risen up to second on the ICC rankings and laid a platform for what we hope will be a successful World T20 campaign in 2020 on home soil."
CA have not named any replacement as yet for Waugh.