Australia to consult former captains over poor Test form

Cricket Australia have turned to three of the country's greatest captains to find why the fortunes of the Test team are in decline.

Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh, who steered Australia through a golden period stretching from 1989 to 2004, are joining the performance review panel.

Former International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed will be the deputy chairman of the review team, which is chaired by businessman Don Argus.

Cricket Australia's board commissioned the review to make recommendations on improving the national team's performance, focusing on why Australia have slipped from first to fifth in the ICC World Test rankings.

The review group will undertake interviews with key stakeholders inside the Australian team set-up and recommend changes to deliver sustained success.

Cricket Australia chairman Jack Clarke said the review, which has been asked to report later this year, will focus on the aspects which affect team performance.

He told a press conference: "The calibre of the cricket people who have agreed to be involved in the review is outstanding.

"I am delighted a person of Don Argus' stature has agreed to chair this expert review group and pleased that three such successful former captains, supported by a person of Malcolm Speed's international cricket experience will be working on it."

Between them, Border, Waugh and Taylor captained Australia in 200 Test matches. Border led the side 93 times, with Waugh and Taylor respectively having the responsibility on 57 and 50 occasions.

Clarke added: "The total review group will be well placed to conduct a rigorous and independent review that results in fact-based recommendations to the board."