Australia chief selector Hilditch to go

SYDNEY: Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has lost his job following a major review into Australian cricket, Cricket Australia said on Friday.

As a result of the seven-month review, a new chairman of selectors will be appointed on a full-time basis, replacing Hilditch, who had served in a part-time capacity.

The review, ordered after Australia's shattering 3-1 Ashes series defeat to England earlier this year, also claimed the jobs of selector Greg Chappell and team coach Tim Nielsen.

"It is clear with the wisdom of hindsight that there are some issues that could have been addressed earlier," CA chairman Jack Clarke told reporters.

Based on the review findings, a new chairman of selectors will be appointed on a full-time basis and the selection panel will be expanded from three members to five, to include the Australian coach and captain.

The report ruled Chappell out of continuing as a selector while he remained in his position as national talent manager.

The head coaching role, currently filled by Nielsen, has also been expanded and refined.

Nielsen, who is serving a three-year contract, has been given the chance to reapply for the new job, CA said.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011