Christina Matthews steps down as Chair of Selectors
Cricket Australia (CA) today confirmed that Christina Matthews has decided to step down as Chair of Selectors on the Women's National Selection Panel (WNSP) to focus on her role as Manager, Commercial Operations and Communication with Cricket New South Wales.
Matthews, a wicket-keeper who played 20 Tests and 47 ODIs for Australia between 1984 and 1995, joined the WNSP in 2005 and succeeded Margaret Jennings as Chair of the panel prior to the start of the 2009-10 season.
During the last two seasons under Matthews' leadership, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have returned to the top of international women's cricket taking out the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 title and reclaiming the Ashes against England in January 2011.
CA Chairman Jack Clarke said: "Chris has been an outstanding servant of the game for a long period of time and has been an absolute champion for women's cricket. Her leadership of the WNSP over the past few years has been first-class and she leaves the role with the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars returning to top form and with the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 and 2013 ICC Women's World Cup well and truly in their sights. We congratulate Chris on her contribution to Australian cricket and wish her well in her future endeavours."
Christina Matthews said: "I am grateful to Cricket Australia for the opportunity to have been part of the WNSP. I have enjoyed my time as a Selector and am particularly proud of the team's victory at the ICC World Twenty20 event last year. During my time as a Selector I have received great support from my fellow panel members and I wish them and the team all the best in the future as I believe we have developed a platform for great success going forward."
Julie Savage will act as Chair of the WNSP in an interim capacity while the replacement process for Matthews is completed. This process will commence following the appointment of the new General Manager, Team Performance which is ongoing. Savage will be supported by fellow selectors in former Australian pace bowler Julie Hayes and head coach Richard McInnes.
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are currently ranked number one in T20Is, two in ODIs and are the holders of the Ashes following their win over England in the one-off Test in January 2011. The team is scheduled to host New Zealand for five T20Is and three ODIs in early 2012.
