Former Australia fast bowler Rodney Hogg has accused Steve Smith of favouritism in team selection, saying that the Australian captain is “picking mates” in the team. He also ripped apart the selectors for the run of losses in the ODI series, which India has already won with two matches to go.
“They’re picking their mates. Smith shouldn’t be a selector. [Ashton] Agar’s been pushed through and Cartwright’s still there. We saw [Nic] Maddinson get selected [he’s] a mate, he’s one of Steve Smith’s mates. You can’t pick bloody mates,” Hogg was quoted as saying on SEN’s The Run Home.
“We’ve got to get fair dinkum. We’re really off the ball a bit here ... I think the captains getting his own way,” he added.
The fast bowler said that a serious review of Australia’s selection panel and their decision making process was needed if the Aussies are to improve.
“All the way down, there’s got to be question marks. All the way across Cricket Australia,” he said.
Hogg also questioned Cricket Australia’s decision to call upon Steve O’Keefe to partner Nathan Lyon for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Hogg felt Jon Holland should have been picked ahead of O’Keefe.
“Holland has proven he can bowl people out, left-arm orthodox is a really hard gig. He’s proven it and we aren’t seeing him,” said Hogg.
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