Merv Hughes has backed Trevor Hohns and Greg Chappell in their new national selectors roles but notes a missed opportunity to get "fresh eyes" onto the panel.
Hohns will temporarily replace Rod Marsh as the chairman of selectors, while former Test captain and national talent manager Greg Chappell will also join the panel on an interim basis.
Former Australian selector and fast bowler Hughes was disappointed by Marsh's departure on Wednesday following a fifth-straight Test loss this week.
Hughes said the selectors weren't to blame for Australia's Test cricket woes and hoped Marsh didn't succumb to external pressure.
"I would have thought that Rod Marsh was still the bloke to be chairman," Hughes told SEN Radio on Thursday.
"I don't think it's the selectors that are the problem. You don't pick players to perform badly and, at the moment, we're not performing that well.
"Who else would you pick?"
Hughes pointed to the recent retirements of Test stars Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris to explain Australia's decline.
"A lot of people overlook the fact that we've lost 335 Tests, we've lost 20,000 Test runs and 500 Test wickets," Hughes said.
Hohns was a national selector from 1993 to 2006, a tenure which included 10 years as chairman of the panel, and Chappell previously served during the 1980s and again in 2010.
Hughes said the pair were well-credentialed, but speculated Marsh hoped to see some new faces in the roles when he quit.
"Maybe Rod Marsh got out of it to get some fresh eyes on the panel," he said.
"If that was the case, we really haven't got fresh eyes onto the panel."
Australia will be trying to avoid a series whitewash against South Africa when the day-night third Test in Adelaide starts next week.
Hohns, Chappell and fellow selector Mark Waugh will be tasked with picking a side that could include as many as four changes to the batting line-up due to poor form.
Hughes said second-Test debutant Callum Ferguson should be given another chance.
"Test cricket's a hard game and not too many people come in and grab it by the scruff of the neck when they start," he said.
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