Marsh rules himself out of selector's job

Rod Marsh, the former head of the ECB Academy, has said he's not interested in the Australian selector's role © Getty Images

Rod Marsh has ruled himself out of contention for the Australian selector's job which is soon to be vacated by Trevor Hohns. Marsh, the former England selector, said he would be too busy with his two jobs - heading the ICC's new Global Cricket Academy in Dubai and reviewing the operations of cricket in South Australia - to even contemplate the role.

Steve Rixon, the former Test wicketkeeper and New Zealand and Surrey coach, has emerged as a frontrunner to join the four-man panel alongside David Boon, Andrew Hilditch and Merv Hughes and has confirmed his interest in the role. Hohns vacates the chairman's role after seven years because of increasing business commitments, meaning a likely elevation for one of the current trio.

"It does appeal to me," Rixon told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I'm still fresh, still involved in the game and still keen and passionate to make a difference. I have given this a lot of thought. In 2007 there will obviously be a lot of coaching jobs coming up, but the only one that would interest me would be the Aussie job. But selecting is something I would really like to get my teeth into."

Media speculation has also linked Ray Bright, the former slow left-armer, and Dean Jones to the job, while Steve Waugh ruled himself out of contention owing to business commitments. Waugh, though, believes that Jones could be a suitable candidate, although Jones has extensive media obligations.