Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood have both been appointed Test vice-captains by Australia after a lengthy selection process, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Thursday, 27 September.
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The process was reportedly adopted by Justin Langer, the head coach, from the Australian Football League and featured a player vote, after which Hazlewood and Marsh had to make presentations to an interview panel comprising Langer, the selection panel and former captains.
Mitch Marsh shares how he will tackle his new leadership role with fellow vice-captain Josh Hazlewood – congrats to both men! pic.twitter.com/3R5wSjEl34
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 27, 2018
Apart from head coach, the interview panel consisted of Greg Chappell and Mark Taylor, both former Test captains, David Peever, the CA Board chairman, Chairman of Selectors Trevor Hohns, psychologist Michael Lloyd, and Pat Howard, the high-performance boss. Hohns’ selection panel then made its recommendations, which were ratified by the Board.
The move is unprecedented in Australian cricket. “I’d like to congratulate Josh and Mitch on their appointment to the positions of joint vice-captains of the Australian Test team,” Hohns said.
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It was not a process designed to find the next Australian Test captain, but to find two vice-captains who will support and help drive the team’s goals
“Justin Langer and Tim Paine have a clear vision for the Test team and Josh and Mitch are invested and ready to support the coach and captain on this journey.
“And this was a fundamental part of the process. It was not a process designed to find the next Australian Test captain, but to find two vice-captains who will support and help drive the team’s goals and objectives.
Aussie ? Vice Captaincy delivered to Mitch Marsh and Josh Hazelwood ? #FastBowlingCartelLeadership
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) September 27, 2018
“Josh and Mitch display great leadership qualities and we were extremely impressed by their passion and energy to help guide Australian cricket into this exciting new era.”
Marsh will be the sole deputy for Tim Paine in the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan, though, with Hazlewood sidelined with an injury.
“Mitch has successfully captained Australia A, Australia Under-19 and Western Australia,” Hohns pointed out. “He is an extremely popular member of the team, he has great humility, and given his lineage he understands and respects the responsibility which comes with representing Australia and Australians.
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“Josh has shown he is a leader among the playing group, and we felt it was important to have a representative from the bowling group. He’s calm under pressure, communicates well and leads by example on and off the field.”
The Test series against Pakistan starts in Dubai on 7 October.
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