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England confirm Vaughan's elevation as Marsh moves up

Angus Fraser
Wednesday 07 May 2003 00:00 BST
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Michael Vaughan's confirmation as the England one-day captain at Lord's yesterday should have surprised few people. The 28-year-old's appointment has been the worst-kept secret in cricket for some time, but as England's most influential player, and the leading batsman in the world, this move into management is a natural step for the ambitious Yorkshire opener.

"It is fantastic to be selected," said an upbeat and excited Vaughan. "It's a great honour to captain your country and I had no hesitation in accepting when the selectors offered me the job. It is something that I have always wanted to do and I intend to enjoy it."

However, while Vaughan's selection was greeted with universal approval, the announcement of Rod Marsh as a national selector did raise the odd eyebrow. Marsh, the former Australian wicketkeeper, has for the last two winters been the England and Wales Cricket Board's National Academy Director in Adelaide, and this new role places him in an even more responsible position at the heart of English cricket. His appointment comes at the expense of Nasser Hussain and Vaughan, the England Test and one-day captains, who will now only be consulted as part of the selection process rather than sit on the four-strong selection panel.

That two of England's four selectors are from overseas – the England coach, Duncan Fletcher is from Zimbabwe – may cause anxiety to some followers of the game, but one can rest assured that nobody will be more conscientious about their work than Marsh, who has made a huge impression with those at the ECB since he was signed up.

"This is a natural extension of my current role as Academy Director and I am looking forward to it," said Marsh. "There is plenty of talent within county cricket and I see my job as helping to spot and develop those players who have the potential to take the step up into international cricket. They don't necessarily have to be players who have been through the Academy. I'll be coming into the job with a completely open mind and a real desire to try and help England progress as a side."

As a man keen on introducing younger players to the England side, his employment could signify the end for Alec Stewart and Andrew Caddick.

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