(Photo: Getty Images)
Cricket Australia has confirmed national selector Mark Waugh will step down with his contract expires in August.
The former Australia batsman has chosen to move into broadcasting by agreeing a commentary deal with Fox Sports. His move to the broadcast booth brings to an end Waugh’s four years on the selection panel, as Cricket Australia said a replacement will be made in due course.
CA’s executive general manager for team performance, Pat Howard, said: “We thank Mark for his service over the past four years and the great job he has done as a national selector
“Being a selector is not an easy task, and Mark has made an important contribution to Australia’s on-field success alongside his fellow panel members.
Waugh’s role switched to a focus on Australia’s T20 set-up in 2017 which saw him identify talents breaking through in the Big Bash League for the benefit of the national side.
Howard added: “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.
“We’re disappointed to lose Mark, but wish him all the best in his new role and we are pleased he will still have heavy involvement in the game.”
With the BBL and WBBL leading the world in T20 events, Waugh voiced his belief that Australian cricket was set on a positive trajectory.
“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,” Waugh said.
“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.”
