SYDNEY: Australian batting great Greg Chappell has been appointed the country`s first full-time selector, Cricket Australia said on Monday.

Chappell, 62, will leave his current position as head coach of the national centre of excellence to take up the official role of national talent manager.

CA said the appointment also meant there was now a full-time communication outlet for players, coaches and the media.

Andrew Hilditch will continue to chair the national selection panel and Chappell will join as one of its four members.

"I am really excited by the challenge of this new role. From a talent management point of view, this will be an exciting period for Australian cricket," Chappell said.

"I have enjoyed the centre of excellence head coach role as I was able to work with a talented group of coaches and support staff to assist and develop the next generation of Australian cricketers.

"The new role dovetails beautifully for me as they will be the immediate future of Australian cricket."

Chappell said he expects to take up the new role within the next month.

CA general manager Michael Brown said his organisation undertook a detailed review of its cricket structure more than four years ago and Chappell`s appointment was the final step in that process.

"Greg will work closely with the state cricket talent development managers and with the national selectors in a system that now gives us a tightly integrated, national talent identification and management system across all Australian cricket," Brown said.

Chappell was the coach of the India national team for two years until he resigned in April 2007.

Chappell played 87 Tests for Australia, 48 as captain, and also played in 74 one-day internationals.

BDST: 1221HRS, August 23, 2010