Rodney Marsh to stand down as Australia's chief selector

Australia will have a new chairman of selectors before the next Ashes series after Cricket Australia said on Thursday that Rodney Marsh would not be seeking to stay on in the role when his contract expires next year.

The 68-year-old former test wicketkeeper has headed up the four-man selection committee since 2014 having previously served on the panel for three years under John Inverarity.

"We can confirm that Rod Marsh has decided not to continue on in his role as national selector once his contract expires in June, 2017," a spokesman for Cricket Australia said. "At this stage no decision has been made on a replacement." The next Ashes series will be in 2017-18 in Australia.

 ​On Wednesday though, David Warner's brilliant 173 was not enough to save Australia from a 32-run defeat by South Africa in the fifth and final one-day International at Newlands.

The loss completed a first ever 5-0 one-day bilateral series defeat for the Australians, who were bowled out for 296 chasing 328 for victory.