Hughes dropped as Australian selector: CA

Sydney:

Former Test fast bowler Merv Hughes has lost his place on Australia's selection panel, Cricket Australia said on Friday.

Hughes was squeezed out after the recent appointment of former Test skipper Greg Chappell as the country's first full-time National Talent Manager and with it a role as a selector.

Cricket Australia's Board of Directors on Friday unanimously confirmed the composition of the four-man panel with David Boon, Chappell and Jamie Cox joining part-time Chairman Andrew Hilditch.

Following a meeting in Melbourne, the Board said that four selectors was now the most appropriate size for the panel and that Hughes would make way from the previous five-man group.

"After feedback from panel Chairman Andrew Hilditch during today's meeting, the Board unanimously decided that David Boon, Jamie Cox and Greg Chappell were the best people to join him on the four-member panel," CA chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement.

"Andrew was clear in his assessment that Merv had been a good selector and a strong contributor around the selection table, but that Cox, Boon and Chappell were the better options to continue on the panel.

"Unfortunately, this means that Merv is no longer a member of the panel.

"Merv has provided valuable input and expertise to the panel during the past five years and Cricket Australia thanks him for his contribution during this time."