Sydney, Oct. 29 : Former Australian captain and selector Greg Chappell has endorsed the appointment of former spinner John Inverarity as Australia''s full-time national selector, saying the shock choice was an ideal figure to oversee the new-look panel.

Chappell who played with Inverarity''s during the West Australian''s brief Test career 40 years ago, said: ''''I played a lot of cricket with and against him. He''s a quality human being, and I''m sure he''ll do a fantastic job.'''' Chappell added. ''''He''s played a lot of cricket, he''s watched a lot of cricket, he''s been a captain, he''s been a selector, a coach. He''s ideally experienced for the role - it''s been a very big part of his life.'''' According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Chappell will have a working relationship with Inverarity as he continues in his position as Cricket Australia''s national talent manager.

Unlike a string of others, Inverarity''s name had not been thrown up in the public arena in the past month as a candidate for the head selector''s job. Chappell, like many others did not expect to hear the 67-year-old had been appointed to the much-wanted gig - but only because he did not know his former teammate and contemporary was in the race.

 ''''I wasn''t aware that he was applying for the role, but I''m not surprised. He''s always been interested in the game, and in recent times has expressed an interest in having some sort of role … I [like] his character, his personality, his passion for the game. He was a great competitor as a player, a talented captain and a talented coach. He is very well-credentialled,'''' said Chappell. Another candidate for the national selector''s position, former Test bowler Geoff Lawson, expressed disappointment at being overlooked. ''''I thought I had the skills to do that job. There were some good candidates for it. I put my hat in the ring, presented my credentials.

I guess I''m disappointed, but not surprised,” said Lawson. Others in the race included Tom Moody, Trevor Hohns, Dean Jones and Rod Marsh. Lawson is still hopeful of securing one of the two part-time selector positions available as part of Cricket Australia''s team management restructure.

They will join Inverarity on a five-man panel that also includes Australian captain Michael Clarke and the still-to-be-named successor to Tim Nielsen as the new head coach. Inverarity will play a part in that recruitment process, along with Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland and the newly appointed general manager of team performance, former Wallaby Pat Howard. (ANI)