Former Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann calls out selector for relationship with players

Former Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann believes chairman of selectors George Bailey is too close to the team to make the tough decisions.

Australia have fought back from a nightmare start in the Border-Gavaskar series to take control of the third Test, but several key questions remain over players in the squad.

Lehmann is unsure whether Bailey is the right person to make the tough decisions given his close relationship with the players.

“In my opinion he is too close to the team,” Lehmann told ABC Sport.

‘I would like him to sit in a selector’s box somewhere and be able to make his own decisions.

‘My preference is for the selector who can make decisions within a selection group and, if necessary, can convey a hard message. Make a tough decision if it is necessary for the betterment of Australian cricket.

Lehmann says Bailey (pictured) should be in a select box and make his own decisions

‘Sometimes you can’t do that when you’re too close because you actually get too emotional and care about the players.

‘As a selector I cared about the players, as a coach you do that too, but sometimes you actually get too close and forget what is there.’

Lehmann went on to say that many players play “too long” and need someone to step in and let them know.

“Or selectors are not strong enough to actually stop players from playing,” Lehmann said.

‘Are players playing too long? History has recently shown us that this may well have been the case.

‘Selectors need to be a little stronger.’

Lehmann admitted he had played ‘a year and a half too long’ and thanked then selector Trevor Hohns for the tough decision.

“I was too old to play at that level, I wasn’t sharp enough and I wasn’t ready enough to compete against 90mph bowlers and I think you actually get to that stage,” he said.

Ian Healy (pictured) has also praised Bailey for his unusually close relationship with the team

Lehman is not the first to criticize Bailey’s close relationship with the players, with Ian Healy and SEN radio presenter Pat Welch commenting on the fact he was among the players for the opening Test in Perth.

“What’s the chairman of selectors doing sitting there in a tracksuit?” Welch said.

“He should be in a company box somewhere looking and taking notes.”

Healy was shocked to see Bailey on the field after the game.

“He went out and shook everyone’s hands, he did the whole hand-shaking thing in a conga line,” Healy said.

“If I am an Indian cricketer, I would think, ‘Why do I have to shake your hand, you are the chairman of the selectors? I just want to hurry up and celebrate this win.’