Eight contenders to replace Rod Marsh

Rod Marsh's decision to stand down as Australia's head of selectors means one of the biggest jobs in Australian cricket is currently vacant.

Trevor Hohns was today installed as interim chairman and the search for a full-time replacement will now begin in earnest.

We take a look at some of the leading candidates outside of the existing panel to take on the role.

Steve Waugh

Image Id: C8789560D80A4E45BD6D63DE8C085E83 Image Caption: Steve Waugh presents Peter Nevill with his Baggy Green at Lord's in 2015 // Getty

He holds a special place in the hearts of every Australian cricket fan and Waugh appears a strong candidate to take over from Rod Marsh as the next Chairman of Selectors.

With a few exceptions, the former Test captain has largely kept his distance from the national side since his international retirement in 2004.

But the 51-year-old seemingly ticks all the boxes; a highly-successful playing career, demonstrated leadership and a willingness not to shy away from tough decisions.

As Test captain, he made a number of tough calls on teammates at the selection table during his five-year tenure, the dropping of his vice-captain Shane Warne on the 1999 tour of the West Indies a notable example.

He’s been backed by former Test skipper Allan Border as having the necessary attributes for the role and Waugh has suggested himself he’d consider an approach to join his twin brother Mark on the National Selection Panel.

"I’d listen to it if the opportunity came up, but there are a lot of things you’ve got to throw into the mix and see whether it’s the right time,” Waugh told Fairfax last month.

"I think there are a lot of good cricket brains in Australia. No one has asked me, but I’d listen to it."

Ricky Ponting

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One of the most talked-about prospects for the role, the major barrier to Ponting’s appointment would appear to be his growing list of coaching, charity, business and media commitments.

Ponting is the current coach of the Mumbai Indians, a side he guided to the Indian Premier League title in 2015 in his first year at the helm of the franchise.

He also has media roles with Channel Ten during the KFC Big Bash League and UK broadcaster BT Sport and has previously rebuffed coaching or consultancy roles with CA.

But with current selector Mark Waugh combining a BBL commentary role with national selection duties, former Test quick Ryan Harris sees no reason why his former Test skipper couldn’t take on the Chairman of Selectors position while maintaining existing commitments.

“The one that comes to mind is Ricky Ponting,” Harris told Adelaide radio station FiveAA on Wednesday when asked who he thinks could succeed Marsh.

“Whether he wants to do it ... he’s quite a busy person with his (charity) foundation, he’s got the Big Bash (commentary position) but he could do that and be a selector, Mark Waugh does that."

Jason Gillespie

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The former fast bowler has just finished a five-year stint at the helm of England county side Yorkshire, where he led them from the Division Two of the County Championship to claiming back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.

Gillespie remains coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL and has indicated he’d be open to a coaching or selection roles with the national side.

“Now that I'm back in Australia full time after stepping down as First Team Coach at Yorkshire, I'm often asked what I plan to do,” the 41-year-old wrote in his column for cricket.com.au earlier this month.

“The Australian T20 side will need an interim coach for the February series against Sri Lanka, and if I was asked it's definitely something I would think about.

“My great mate Ricky Ponting is in the mix for that and he would be a great coup for Cricket Australia if he got that job.

“There's also been mention of a selection job. I'm very happy to have a chat to Cricket Australia about these however they are not things I have particularly thought about.”

Tom Moody

Image Id: 61F800AE211748DDA597FAD3432762FC Image Caption: Former Australia coach Mickey Arthur in discussion with Tom Moody in 2012 // Getty

Like a number of contenders, Moody holds a long list of existing cricket commitments that could preclude him from the Chairman of Selectors role.

The 201cm former allrounder has coaching experience with his native state of Western Australia and Sri Lanka, who he guided to the one-day international World Cup final in 2007 as coach.

More recently, he’s become an in-demand figure on the international Twenty20 circuit. He’s the director of cricket for the Caribbean Premier League competition and holds the same title with the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL.

Moody also coached Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL title earlier this year, and on paper, appears to be as qualified as any of the other contenders.

Ian Healy

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A tireless gloveman and dependable deputy in his playing career, Healy could be an outside chance to replace Marsh.

The 119-Test veteran is currently a member of Channel Nine’s commentary team and was a mentor at a week-long wicketkeeping camp at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane over the winter.

Healy is a highly-respected figure within Australian cricket circles but has given no public indication of his desire to take on the position.

Mark Taylor

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Another ex-captain, the major barrier to Taylor being considered for the Chairmanship lies in his current position as a board member with Cricket Australia.

He would have to resign from the board to be appointed Chairman of Selectors.

The 52-year-old former opener is another member of Channel Nine’s commentary team.

Taylor had a 104-Test career and was appointed as Allan Border's successor as skipper in 1994. He was named Australian of the Year in 1999.

Tim Nielsen

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A former wicketkeeper with the Redbacks, Nielsen took over as national coach in 2007 having previously been an assistant to John Buchanan for three years.

Australia lost the Ashes both away (in 2009) and then at home (in 2010-11) under his leadership but he oversaw wins in nine out of 15 Test series.

Nielsen opted not to re-apply for the job he held for four years in the wake of the 2011 Argus Review and has since held off-field roles with the SACA.

His lack of international playing experience may preclude him but his knowledge of domestic cricket in Australia as well as his familiarity with the national side could count in his favour.

Michael Hussey

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An opener who reinvented himself as a dashing middle-order batsman, Mr Cricket would be a popular choice as Marsh's successor.

After a 79-Test career that he thought might never eventuate, Hussey played a major role in turning around the fortunes of BBL outfit the Sydney Thunder from cellar-dwellars to champions.

The left-hander called time on his playing career after leading the Thunder to their maiden title but has been signed on by the club as director of cricket for the BBL|06.

Hussey would likely have to persuaded to quit a role he's barely begun in order to take on a position on the National Selection Panel.