Cricket-Srikkanth appointed India's chief selector

MUMBAI, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Former India batsman Kris Srikkanth, who was dropped as captain after seeking better payments for his peers in his playing days, was named chief selector by the Indian cricket board on Saturday.

Srikkanth, who replaces Dilip Vengsarkar, annoyed board officials when he stood up for his team before the 1989 test tour of Pakistan and was removed as captain on his return despite having led the team to a creditable draw.

Former batsman Yashpal Sharma, leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani, Surendra Bhave and Raja Venkat were also named to India's first paid selection committee on one-year appointments.

Shashank Manohar replaced Sharad Pawar as president at the annual general meeting of the board. Pawar will succeed England's David Morgan as president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2010. (Reporting by Sanjay Rajan; Editing by Clare Fallon)