In making the following announcements, the WACA would again like to acknowledge the valuable contribution Allan Edwards has made to West Australian cricket and his work during the past season as Chairman of the State Selection Panel.

Today at the WACA ground, following a meeting of the WACA's International and Interstate Cricket Committee, Wayne Hill was appointed as Chairman of the West Australian State Selection Panel.

A former state wicket-keeper, Wayne Hill has been on the WA State Selection Panel for the past seven seasons.

Another appointment made at today's meeting was Lee Bott, on to the State Selection Panel. Bott headed a high quality list of eight nominated applicants, that included former state players Wayne Andrews and Chris Matthews.

Bott is a highly experienced member of the West Australian club cricket community, having played 240 games of first grade cricket with West Perth, Scarborough and University. During his career Bott scored approximately 5000 runs as a right-hand top order batsman and claimed approximately 230 wickets, with his left-arm orthodox spin bowling.

Bott is currently a teacher/coach at Kent Street High School, for its specialist cricket program. He was nominated by the University Cricket Club and currently holds no specific role at the club but previously has been a captain and a selector.

Bott is also the grandson of former state captain Leo Bott, who captained West Australia four times during the 1924-25 season for a three draw and one loss record. Leo Bott is also revered in the WA cricket community for being a founder of the Mt Lawley Cricket Club.

Also appointed at today's meeting, in a move aimed at sharing the increasing duties of the State Selection Panel, given its voluntary status, was Peter Capes into the newly created position of Deputy-Chairman.

Completing the list of duties at today's meeting was the appointment of Dennis Baker, who retained his position on the State Selection Panel following last season's debut.

The WACA's International and Interstate Committee would like to express how pleased it was to have received such a strong field of willing nominations for the State Selection Panel and shared the view that the quality of the field indicated the current strength of WA cricket.

© 2002 Western Australian Cricket Association