Marsh steps down as selector

Rod Marsh, the director of the ECB Academy, has begun the process of handing over the reins to his successor, Peter Moores, by stepping down from the selection panel for the remainder of the summer.

For the remainder of the summer, a three-man panel of David Graveney, Geoff Miller and Duncan Fletcher will take charge of squad selection - for the NatWest Challenge and the five Ashes Tests - with Moores acting as an advisor until he takes over from Marsh in September.

"Given my move back to Australia, I think it is right that David, Geoff and Duncan take the lead with the England Ashes squad this summer," said Marsh, who has quit his post to spend more time with his family. "I shall always be pleased to fully support the selection panel and provide any input required."

Marsh has not always seen eye-to-eye with his selection-panel colleagues, and the unilateral decision to drop Marsh's wicketkeeping protégé, Chris Read, in favour of Geraint Jones, caused a notable rift with Fletcher during the Caribbean tour last April.

But David Collier, the ECB chief executive, was quick to praise Marsh's efforts, as well as the timing of his handover. "It is typical of Rod that he has taken the initiative to ensure that we have a perfect handover. Rod has developed the facility and programme at Loughborough to world-class standards. Thanks to Rod we are the envy not only of the cricket world but also of many other sports."