Hobart emergency meeting response to 85

Australia’s selectors were compelled to meet face to face in an emergency sitting as a direct result of the Test team being bowled out for 85 on day one of the second match against South Africa in Hobart.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that the panel, then chaired by Rod Marsh, had originally been scheduled for a telephone hookup during the Bellerive Oval Test to discuss the team for the third Test in Adelaide and also the squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.

However, the grim fortunes of the team’s batsmen on day one of the match, losing all 10 wickets for fewer than 100 runs for the third time in as many Tests, drove Marsh to have his fellow selectors Mark Waugh and Trevor Hohns join him to discuss the team in person and begin charting a new direction for the side. Four consecutive Test defeats and the seeming inevitability of a fifth in Hobart meant a change of course was imperative.

Marsh followed up the meeting by choosing to resign his commission as chairman more than six months ahead of his contract expiry, stating “fresh thinking” was required and effectively handing over the reins to Hohns, who was approved as interim chairman by the Cricket Australia board. A significantly recast team was then unveiled for Adelaide, featuring three debutant batsmen in Matt Renshaw, Pete Handscomb and Nic Maddinson.

Hohns has said previously he was given a mandate to revamp the side significantly, but …

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