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Aussies look for new selector as Chappell retires

Former Test captain's long association with the Australian cricket team to come to an end

Australia's search for a new national selector is underway after Cricket Australia confirmed national talent manager Greg Chappell will conclude his tenure at the end of this month.

A connection with Australia's cricket team stretching back half a century has ended with the former Test captain to retire on September 30.

Chappell, who played 87 Tests from 1970 to 1984 and posted 24 hundreds, had been Cricket Australia's national talent manager for the past nine years as well as a national selector.

One-Test former wicketkeeper Graham Manou will take over an expanded role of national talent and pathway manager as CA look for a replacement national selector, to be named at a later date.

Chappell, 71, also played 74 one-day internationals for Australia - often alongside brothers Ian and Trevor.

He held three separate television commentary stints, while he also coached India from 2005-07.

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts lauded Chappell's contribution to the game.

Image Id: 373CF66852CC4606B684A696F652B9EE Image Caption: Chappell struck 7,110 Test runs at 53.86 // Getty

"Greg has had a profound and positive impact on cricket for generations," Roberts said.

"Greg was one of the finest players in the history of International cricket. Additionally, as a captain, coach, selector and mentor, Greg has been a true pioneer and innovator.

"His passion and commitment to the game are clear to anyone who has interacted with him and Australian cricket is all the stronger for his involvement."

Chappell has worked closely with Australia's junior talent and was team manager of the Cricket Australia XI in its short inclusion in the domestic 50-over competition.

Along with his work in cricket, Chappell has raised more than $2 million through his charity, The Chappell Foundation, which aims to help homeless youth in Australia.

The current men's selection panel consists of Chappell, chair Trevor Hohns and coach Justin Langer.

CA chief executive Kevin Roberts indicated earlier this month that while the make-up of the selection committee was unlikely to undergo radical change, he expects the next iteration to reflect the ever-growing influence of the T20 game.

With six T20s to be played against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and Australia to host the ICC Men's World T20 tournament from October next year, the shortest format is expected to now command a sharper selection focus.

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"Certainly we need to take into account the sorts of experience that are required," Roberts said recently.

"If you look at the shape of the panel now, one of the things we'd like to have more of in the future is more experience in T20 games.

"Rather than targeting an individual person, it's really about determining what are the characteristics or capabilities we need among the panel and who are the people in Australian cricket who can fulfil those.

"I think it's knowledge of the T20 game, whether it be playing, coaching, and various other roles in the T20 game."

Put Paine on selection panel: Ponting

Ricky Ponting has called for the Test captain to be made a selector, but Tim Paine has previously indicated he has no interest in the job while he's still playing.

"I said when I was playing, as captain I was desperate to be an actual selector,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

“More (for) communication reasons than anything else, it wasn't because I didn't always get the team I wanted.

"To be accountable and to be able to communicate well among your players, I thought it was vital that the captain could pass on his views to the players directly."