Hughes interviewed as Border's replacement

Merv Hughes has been interviewed for the Austalian selection panel's fourth spot following the resignation of Allan Border last month. The Age reported Hughes did not apply to replace Border, but was asked by Cricket Australia to consider the job and was the first to meet with them.

The paper said Ray Bright, the Victoria nomination, would be interviewed tomorrow. Other candidates for the position under Trevor Hohns, the chairman, are Tom Hogan, the former Western Australia international spinner and New South Wales' Marshall Rosen. Darren Lehmann has been backed by South Australia despite intending to continue playing.

While Hughes is portrayed as a larrikin, he understands the difficulties of selection after 53 Tests as a fringe, injured and crucial figure. Hughes, who has bowled with or against the panel members Hohns, Andrew Hilditch and David Boon, has also applied for a place on Victoria's selection committee, which has lost the chairman Mick O'Sullivan.