News Sports Cricket Mark Waugh steps down as Australia selector

Mark Waugh steps down as Australia selector

Australian legend Mark Waugh has stepped down from the post of national selector after accepting a commentary job offer from the local broadcaster.

Mark Waugh Image Source : GETTY IMAGESMark Waugh Stepped down  from the post of National selector

Former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh has decided to quit from the post of national selector and he will not renew his contract which will end on 31 August. 

Waugh has accepted a commentary offer from a local broadcaster. Waugh has been the national selector from 2014 and the T20 Chairman on the selectors.

Waugh recently signed a deal with Fox Sports' commentary team, which along with the free-to-air Channel Seven won the rights to broadcast the Australian summer of cricket in a six-year deal worth almost A$1.2 billion.

Announcing the news, Waugh said it was a really tough decision to opt to not continue at his role, adding that he had thoroughly enjoyed his time with the national selection panel.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with the National Selection Panel, and it has been a tough decision to choose not to continue in my role," cricket.com.au quoted Waugh as saying.

"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," he added.

"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," CA high performance boss Pat Howard said.

Waugh's final tour with the national side as a selector will be the tour to England and Zimbabwe in June and July where Australia will play five One-Day Internationals and one T20I in England in June, before a two-match T20I series in Zimbabwe.

Waugh is a well-respected player of the game who played 128 Tests and 244 ODIs for Australia. 

It will be tough for CA to find his replacement as currently they are under scanner after the infamous ball-tampering saga in South Africa which led to the bans on three players - captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. Head coach Daren Lehman also recently quit from his post.

Earlier this month, veteran opener Justin Langer was appointed as the new head coach of the Australian side.

Meanwhile, Waugh will be joining Adam Gilchrist, Allan Border, Mike Hussey and England's Michael Vaughan at his new job at Fox Sports.