Selection decisions are always a big talking point when it comes to any Test series game in Australia.
But some big questions, speculation and opinions about who starts where in the Baggy Greens squad this summer have fans, pundits and journalists in their grip.
Perhaps the biggest talking point of the summer so far concerns Australia’s batting order. Ahead of the series, a debate raged over who should start as Australia’s opener alongside Usman Khawaja, with debutant Nathan McSweeney given the nod to succeed David Warner at the spearhead of Australia’s top order.
Attention was also paid to the form of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne after Australia’s 295-run defeat in Perth, with the pair struggling to meet their high standards. Smith appeared to dismiss his doubters in Brisbane on Sunday, reaching his first ton since last year’s Ashes Series.
Although Australia have made only minor adjustments to their squad, with Scott Boland taking the place of 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 the Australian selectors. .
Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann was one to give a brutally honest opinion on the issue, claiming squad chairman George Bailey was ‘too close to the team’.
Darren Lehmann (left) has criticized Australian selectors for being ‘too close’ to the player selection
Lehmann pointed in particular to George Bailey (pictured), the chairman of the Australian selectors, claiming his involvement with the party made it difficult to make tough decisions.
Pat Cummins’ side settled for a draw against India on Wednesday despite gaining a strong foothold in the match, with a first innings score of 445.
He seemed to argue that this made it too difficult for him to make tough decisions that could benefit the home side.
“In my opinion he is too close to the team,” Lehmann, who left his coaching role with Australia in 2018, said on ABC Sports.
‘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.
‘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 added that some players are guilty of “playing too long” and needed someone to step in and tell them to resign. “Selectors need to be a little stronger,” he added.
However, Cummins has dismissed Lehmann’s criticism of the Australian selectors and backtracked on his claim that the selectors were too close to the truth.
Lehmann added that getting too close to the team meant a selector could become ‘too emotional’ about the players
The spotlight was on several Aussie batters in the first three Tests of the series
“I don’t know how that can be true,” Cummins said.
“There’s so much more to choosing a side than just looking at some kind of internet. So I think we’ll continue with really strong philosophies and work with players.
‘The most important thing, of course, is that you remain objective. And I think the selection panel is great at that.
“They’ve made some really bold decisions in all formats in recent years, probably bolder than I’ve seen other selectors make in recent years, so they’ve never shied away from a tough decision.
“I love what George brings to the role, and I think you hear that from the guys on the side, but also from the statesmen and everyone out there.”
Ahead of next week’s Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Cummins revealed selectors would take stock of Australia’s current squad in the coming days to choose the team’s next squad.
“I think the selectors will get together tonight or tomorrow and pick the squad for the next few Tests,” Cummins said after his side had to settle for a draw against India in the third Test on Wednesday.
“But it was very difficult for the opening batters, for both sides actually. I’m very impressed with the way he’s going about it.
Cummins hit back at Lehmann’s claims, saying he felt it was ‘not true’ that the selectors were too close to the team
Even today, someone early in their career is still unselfish enough to go out there and try to make shots instead of just trying to maintain a score and score.
‘So yeah, I was really impressed with him again.
‘[He] He probably didn’t score the points he would like, but he played some important shots that got us a win in Adelaide and a really good result here.”
“I think the selectors will get together tonight or tomorrow and pick the squad for the next few Tests,” Cummins said.