Rod Marsh quits as Australia's chairman of selectors

Australia's chairman of selectors Rod Marsh has stepped down. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

Marsh is the first casualty of Australia’s woeful recent record, which has seen them lose five consecutive Tests around a first-ever 5-0 one-day international series whitewash in South Africa.

An embarrassing innings defeat to the Proteas in the second Test in Hobart this week has led to calls for changes within the Australia set-up and, while Marsh has been first to go, the 69-year-old denied he had been pushed.

“This is my own decision and no one within Cricket Australia has pressured me or even suggested that I should do this,” the former Australia wicketkeeper 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.”

The 96-Test wicketkeeper, who was appointed in May 2014, had previously indicated that he would stand down when his contract runs out in June next year.

Marsh’s exit could signal the start of change for Australian cricket – 12 months out from a home Ashes series – with pressure also on CA’s general manager of high performance Pat Howard, while on the field a shake-up also appears likely.

Captain Steven Smith suggested in the wake of the defeat in Tasmania that it was time to look to youth – a call echoed by Marsh in his leaving statement.