Australia in caretaker mode

Australian cricket has a lot to figure out about itself in the off-season, Chloe Saltau writes in the Age. The unfilled job of fast-bowling coach is key due to the number of young fast bowlers around, while Phillip Hughes may well be the long-term replacement for Simon Katich.

First, the selection panel chaired by Hilditch, whose position will be examined in one of four separate inquiries prompted by the Ashes fiasco, will pick Cricket Australia's 25 contracted players for the next 12 months. That will involve making calls on the careers of veterans such as Simon Katich and Michael Hussey and bringing on the younger players the selectors think can withstand difficult initiations and emerge as resourceful, successful cricketers.