Selection decisions are always a big talking point when it comes to any Test series being played in Australia.
But some big questions, speculation and opinions about who starts where in the Baggy Greens squad this summer have captivated fans, pundits and journalists.
Perhaps the biggest talking point of the summer so far relates to Australia’s batting order. Ahead of the series, there was debate over who should start alongside Usman Khawaja as Australia’s openers, with debutant Nathan McSweeney getting the nod to succeed David Warner at the spearhead of Australia’s top flight.
The form of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne was also highlighted following Australia’s 295-run defeat in Perth, with both struggling to live up to their high standards. Smith seemingly dismissed his doubters on Sunday in Brisbane, hitting his first ton since last year’s Ashes series.
While Australia have only made minor adjustments to their squad, with Scott Boland replacing Josh Hazlewood in Adelaide (a move that now looks set to become a permanent fixture for the remaining two Tests following the latter’s calf injury), some have raised questions about Australia’s selectors. .
Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann was among those to give a brutally honest opinion on the matter, claiming that the team’s chairman of selectors, George Bailey, was “too close to the team”.
Darren Lehmann (left) criticized Australia’s selectors for being “too close” to the playing team.
Lehmann singled out George Bailey (pictured), the chairman of Australia’s selectors, in particular, saying his involvement with the team was making difficult decisions difficult.
Pat Cummins’ team settled for a draw with India on Wednesday despite having built a strong foothold in the match, posting a score of 445 in the first innings.
He seemed to claim that made it too difficult for him to make difficult decisions that could benefit the home team.
“In my opinion, he is too close to the team,” said Lehmann, who left his coaching position with Australia in 2018. ABC sport.
“I wish he was sitting watching in the selectors’ box somewhere and could make his own decisions.”
‘My preference is that the coach can make decisions within a selection group and convey a strong message if necessary. Make a tough decision if you have to to improve Australian cricket.
“Now, sometimes you can’t do that if you’re too close because you actually get too excited and worried about the players.”
“As a coach, I cared about the players, as a coach, but sometimes you get too close and forget what’s out there.”
Lehmann added that some players are guilty of playing “too long” and needed someone to step in and tell them to quit. “The selectors have to be a little stronger,” he added.
Cummins, however, has dismissed Lehmann’s criticism of Australia’s selectors, responding to his claims that the selectors were too close or too far from the truth.
Lehmann added that getting too close to the team meant a coach could become “too emotional” with the players.
The focus has been on several Australian batsmen during the first three Tests of the series.
“I don’t know how that could be true,” Cummins said.
‘There’s a lot more to choosing a side than just looking at the Internet. So I think we will continue with very strong philosophies and work with the players.
‘Of course, the most important thing is to be objective. And I think the selection panel is amazing at that.
“They have made some really bold decisions in recent years across all formats, probably bolder than I have seen other selectors make in previous years, so they have never shied away from a tough decision.”
“I think what George brings to the role is amazing, and I think you’d hear that from the guys on the side, but you’d also hear that from the in-state guys and everyone from outside as well.”
Ahead of next week’s Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Cummins revealed that selectors would take stock of Australia’s current squad over the next few days to choose the team’s next squad.
“I think the selectors will meet tonight or tomorrow and choose the team for the next Tests,” Cummins said after his team had to settle for a draw against India on Wednesday in the third Test.
“But it’s been very difficult for the leadoff hitters, actually for both sides.” I was very impressed with the way he did it.
Cummins responded to Lehmann’s claims, stating that he felt it was “untrue” that the selectors were too close to the team.
Even today, someone starting their career is still selfless enough to go out and try to make shots instead of just trying to save and score.
‘So yeah, I’m really really impressed with him again.
“(He) probably hasn’t scored the runs he’d like to, but he’s played some big knocks which allowed him to win in Adelaide and get a really good result here.”
“I think the selectors will meet tonight or tomorrow and choose the team for the next trials,” Cummins said.