Tony Dodemaide, the former Australian fast bowler, has joined Australia’s National Selection Panel, Cricket Australia announced on Monday (October 18). He will now be the third member of the panel that has Chairman George Bailey and Head Coach Justin Langer.
Dodemaide, who is currently working as the General Manager of Hockey One, will step down from his role and join the selection panel next month ahead of the Ashes. Post his playing career, Dodemaide has donned several hats. After serving as the MCC Head of Cricket for five years, he returned to his country as the CEO of Western Australia in 2004. Three years later, he was appointed CEO of Cricket Victoria.
“Tony led a field of very strong candidates and we are thrilled to have him join the NSP at an important and exciting period for the Australian men’s team,” Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager of High Performance and National Teams, said.
“He is an ideal fit for the selector role at this time and brings skills and experience that will complement George and Justin while adding value to the team and high performance area more broadly.”
The 58-year-old has represented Australia 34 times in international cricket having made his debut in the Boxing Day Test in 1987 against New Zealand. Dodemaide, who picked up a five-wicket haul on both his Test and ODI debut, finished his first-class career with 534 wickets.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a contribution not only in the immediate tournaments and series but also to help chart the medium to longer term course of the Australian men’s teams,” Dodemaide said.
“I can’t wait to offer my experience in cricket as a player and in management to assist George (Bailey) and JL (Langer) but also the wider Australian cricket high performance network. Throughout my cricket journey I have often been close to high performance and selection, so I feel well suited to and prepared for this role.”
