England’s Ashes mastermind says Oz selection policy has ‘evaporated’

SYDNEY - Ken Schofield, who helped engineer England’s recent Ashes dominance, has said Australia’s selection policy has “evaporated”, and advised Cricket Australia to consider employing a full-time chairman of selectors.

But Cricket Australia’s chief selector Andrew Hilditch yesterday reiterated that he had no plans to step aside.

“I have still got the same passion for everything I can give to Australian cricket, I only do it for one reason and that is I love Australian cricket,” Hilditch had said.

Schofield said English cricket had benefited greatly since Geoff Miller’s appointment as a full-time selection chairman in January 2008, and urged Australia to follow suit after it conducts its Ashes post-mortem.

“The amount of cricket now and the different disciplines - 20 overs, 50 overs the Test team - that’s one thing they might one day want to look at,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Schofield, as saying.

“I’m sure it benefited the England set up in having a chief selector. It’s a full-time position which hitherto was not. We’re lucky to have guys who are upfront, who’ll be visible, who’ll take responsibility and if something’s wrong they’ll put their hands up,” he said.

Schofield’s comments will not only increase the pressure on Cricket Australia to part company with Hilditch, but also make the role full-time. (ANI)