Rod Marsh appointed chairman of selectors by Cricket Australia

*'Rod is the right man to take on this important role'
* Former Test batsman Mark Waugh joins committee

Rod Marsh has been appointed Australian cricket's new chairman of selectors with fellow Test player Mark Waugh joining the four-man committee alongside the recalled Trevor Hohns.

Marsh has been elevated to the role following the retirement of John Inverarity, while former all-rounder Andy Bichel has also been replaced.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann retains his position on the selection committee.

The news comes a day after Australia regained top spot in the world Test and one-day international rankings.

Marsh's widely predicted move was ratified during a CA board meeting held in Melbourne over the past two days, and announced by CA boss James Sutherland.

"Rod Marsh is the right man to take on this important role having been a key member of the panel since 2011," Sutherland said of the former wicketkeeper/batsman who played 96 Tests and set a new world benchmark for Test dismissals during his career that spanned 1970-1984.

"His track record speaks for itself. He brings a wealth of experience to the position, having been a leading player, coach and most recently a selector.

"Throughout his days as a player he was the absolute embodiment of the Baggy Green cap and to this day is widely respected throughout the game."

Marsh will also now relinquish his role as Cricket Australia's manager, elite coaching development.

Waugh's appointment had been discussed for some time but the return of Hohns, who had previously served as a national selector from 1993-2006, including a decade as the panel's chair, was more of a surprise.

Alarmed at Australian cricket's shallow batting stocks, Marsh says he'll lead a back-to-basics revolution in his reign as chairman of selectors.

Marsh says a lack of technically proficient young batsmen is Australia's glaring weakness.

"I don't think our batting is as good as it should be for a nation of our strength," Marsh said.

"Technically, I don't think it's good enough."

Marsh is bullish about Australia's future, citing a group of promising fast bowlers and spinners, and a batch of classy wicketkeepers - but the batting worries him.

"There has been a period of time where technique hasn't been taught as well as it could have been," he said.

"We have got to get back to the basics. All all of our coaching throughout the whole of Australia has got to get right back to the simple basics of the game.

"It's the only way forward, as far as I'm concerned, because if you ever have as problem with your game, the answer will always lie in the basics - always."