England give Rod Marsh key coaching role

Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Cricket Academy head coach Rod Marsh has resigned from his post to take on a similar role as director of the new national academy in England, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said on Sunday.

Marsh, the former Australian test wicketkeeper who once called English bowlers "pie-chuckers", has overseen the development of Australia's best cricketers for the past decade.

"Throughout that time the academy, under the guidance of Marsh, has helped launch the international careers of 27 Australian players including Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist," the ACB said in a prepared statement.

Marsh said: "It has been a genuine honour to have worked in this role for the past decade.

"I will be leaving Australian cricket on good terms, and will always follow the careers of the boys who have attended the academy very closely," Marsh added.

"However with time comes new challenges, and I feel the opportunity to help another cricketing nation establish a similar program is very exciting."

ACB chief executive James Sutherland said the board was disappointed to lose Marsh to a new role with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Sutherland added the ACB wished Marsh well and thanked him for his efforts.

"His contribution to the game in this country has been immense, both on the field as a champion wicketkeeper, and off it as the leading figure in elite cricket development," Sutherland said.

INTERNATIONAL CRICKETERS

"My target over the next three years is to develop a base of 20 players who, in three to seven years' time, will be good test and one-day international cricketers," Marsh was quoted as saying in the Sunday Herald Sun newspaper.

The newspaper, which ran the headline "Marsh poached", said England craved a hard man to teach younger players about the harsh realities of modern cricket.

"In Rodney Marsh, they have found him," it said.

Ranked number one in the world, Australia currently lead England 2-0 in the Ashes, with the third match of the five-test series starting on Thursday.

Marsh notched 355 dismissals in 96 tests between 1970-84, forming a partnership with fast bowler and fellow Western Australian Dennis Lillee and ferocious quick Jeff Thomson.

Australia, increasingly dominant in recent years and World Cup winners in 1999, have held the Ashes since 1989, winning the past six series.

Mail Cricket Editor