Oz selectors, grassroots will targeted in Argus review shake-up

Sydney/Melbourne, Aug.19 (ANI): Former BHP Billiton chairman Don Argus is expected to recommend sweeping changes to Australian cricket, including a restructure of the selection panel, a more streamlined contract system and stronger support for grassroots cricket. According to a Sydney Morning Herald report, the proposed changes to the selection panel will place chairman Andrew Hilditch firmly in line for an exit. The independent, exhaustive review by Argus, former International Cricket Council boss Malcolm Speed and former captains Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor will be tabled at a Cricket Australia board meeting today. Players currently on tour in Sri Lanka will be briefed. It was a topic of conversation among first-class players at the annual conference of Australian Cricketers' Association delegates in Melbourne yesterday. "Everyone is keenly awaiting the outcomes of the review.Clearly, there are going to be some aspects of the review that are going to directly affect the playing group so we are keen to see the findings," the paper quoted Paul Marsh,, the association's chief executive, as saying. Argus will make a detailed presentation to Cricket Australia directors, who were given a copy of the executive summary last night. It is understood that the report will propose a full-time chairman of selectors, which would effectively end the tenure of the unpopular Hilditch. Hilditch, whose contract has expired, did not return calls to the Herald last night. Rod Marsh and Trevor Hohns are regarded as potential replacements. Changes to the pay structure could include a move towards fewer national contracts and a heavier weighting towards Tests as the Twenty20 revolution gains pace with the expansion of CA's much-heralded Big Bash League. This follows an outcry over the millions of dollars paid to players not good enough to be selected for the Test tour to Sri Lanka, and the plucking of three players from outside the 25-man list. The report will also canvass steps to reverse the decline of the grassroots and domestic systems which once underpinned Australia's dominance. Argus is expected to be joined by Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke and chief executive James Sutherland at a press conference at Cricket Australia's Melbourne headquarters this afternoon, but it will be up to directors to decide how much of the report is made public and how much is held back for further reflection. The findings were based on 61 interviews conducted in the aftermath of Australia's Ashes thrashing almost eight months ago. Since then, England has replaced India as the world's No. 1 Test nation, reinforcing the need for action. (ANI)