Australia's chief cricket selector resigns

30 November -0001

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Melbourne: Trevor Hohns, the powerful chairman of the Australian selection committee, has resigned citing business commitments, the country's cricket board announced Tuesday.

Hohns, a former Test player, joined the national selection panel as one of its five members in 1993-94 and was chairman for 10 seasons, from 1996-97 to 2005-06.

Under Hohns' chairmanship, the Australian team went through one of the most successful eras in its international history, winning World Cups in 1999 and 2003. He was also a selector when Mark Taylor's side reached the final of the 1996 World Cup before losing to Sri Lanka.

It was also the Hohns-led panel that picked the Australian team that won most of the world-record 16 consecutive Tests. The winning streak that started in 1999-2000 lasted till the first Test in Mumbai in 2000-2001. India ended the run when they defeated Steve Waugh's side in Kolkata in the next match.

During Hohns' tenure, between Sep 1, 1993, and April 3, 2006, Australia played 46 Test series, winning 35, drawing five and losing only six.

During the same period, 39 players made their Test debut and 46 cricketers made their one-day international debut.

Hohns, who played seven Tests in 1989, said he was privileged to have held the position as chairman.

"I have been fortunate to play a part in the national selection panel for so long and am very grateful for the opportunity that was afforded to me by the Cricket Australia (CA) board," he said.

"Despite its obvious challenges, I have certainly enjoyed the role and can only hope that my contribution has in some small way assisted Australian cricket."

CA chairman Creagh O'Connor paid rich tributes to Hohns.

"Trevor has fulfilled one of Australian cricket's most important roles in what has been one of the most successful eras in our history," said O'Connor.

"In Trevor's case, he has made an outstanding contribution to the role and has played a pivotal part in helping Australia remain the number one Test and one-day international team in world cricket over a sustained period."

O'Connor added: "For this, we sincerely thank him and wish him all the best for his future endeavours."

CA said that Hohns' business commitments have increased due to the pending retirement of his business partner.

"No details are yet available as to a replacement for Hohns. However, Cricket Australia (CA) is working on a process to appoint a replacement, with further announcements expected to follow shortly," CA said in a statement.

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