Jamie Cox falls into the unfortunate category of outstanding state players who never represented their country. Nobody has appeared in more Pura Cup-Sheffield Shield games than Cox's 161, and he is the competition's second-highest run-scorer behind Darren Lehmann with 10,821. But the closest he came to breaking into Australia's top order was when he was a fringe candidate for the 1997 and 2001 Ashes tours. Instead he drove into state and county attacks while Taylor, Slater, Elliott, Hayden and Langer succeeded above him. Retiring at the end of a disappointing 2005-06, Cox played 264 first-class matches over 19 years for Tasmania and Somerset. Making his debut in 1987-88, Cox was the state's first inductee into the Academy and had his most successful season in 1996-97 when he struck 1349 runs. In 2000-01 he was the Pura Cup Player of the Season and was also making his mark at Somerset, where he captained the county for three northern summers. Somerset won the C&G Trophy under Cox in 2001 and his overall first-class record for the two teams was 18,614 runs at 42.69.

An elegant right-hander, Cox possessed a tight defensive technique and a rich variety of attacking shots, and was also a regular leader of Tasmania, who he guided to the Pura Cup final of 2001-02. Originally a middle-order batsman, he blossomed into one of the nation's most respected openers and in collaboration with Dene Hills formed half of one of the most productive first-wicket combinations in Australian first-class history. Earlier in his career he led a star-studded Australian youth team to the Caribbean, and was a member of a Young Australia side to visit Zimbabwe, but he was unable to break through at senior level.

He spoke of his struggles when he became Allan Border's replacement on the national selection panel in November 2006. "The selectors did frustrate me for a decade," he said. "I think the career that I had actually holds me in real good stead to be a selector." He has also started a media career and has enjoyed numerous stints in the ABC and Fox Sports commentary boxes. Cox was appointed South Australia's high performance manager in July 2008.
Cricinfo staff July 2008

First-class Debut: Tasmania v Victoria at Melbourne, 1987-88
List A Debut: Tasmania v New South Wales at Sydney, 1988-89
Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy 1988
Somerset 1999 to 2001 (captain)
Tasmanian captain 1999-2000 to 2000-01

Australia selector 2006 -

Read Jamie Cox's postcards from Tasmania and Somerset.

• Cox to continue as national selector (Jul 20, 2008)
  
• Cox named South Australia performance manager (Jul 19, 2008)
  
• The pressure's on the panel (Apr 4, 2008)
  
• Cox joins selection panel (Nov 16, 2006)
  
• Left-handers all – and another one in a helmet (Jun 19, 2006)
  

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Nov 22, 2006 The selectors have a chat with the coach and captain © Getty Images

Sep 5, 2004 Jamie Cox © Getty Images

Aug 28, 2002 Jamie Cox is aghast as Peter Martin traps him lbw for 1 at the start of the Somerset second innings © Cricinfo Ltd

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