Australia, ICC World Cup 2019, Trevor Hohns
CA national selection panel chief Trevor Hohns. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Cricket Australia’s (CA) National Selection chairman Trevor Hohns on Tuesday, has lambasted the critics for remarking the selection committee for failing to communicate with the players.

“They [players] have my number. I think the communication issue is a bit of a nonsense at the moment,” Hohns told SEN’s Gerard Whateley – the Melbourne-bound radio channel.

Australia has already announced the strong 15-man squad, for the four-match Test series which will be kicking off on March 1 at Kingsmead in Durban.

Here’s Australia’s 15-member squad for South Africa series:

Steve Smith (skipper), David Warner (deputy), Usman Khawaja, Cameron Bancroft, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Jackson Bird, Jhye Richardson and Jon Holland.

Trevor Hohns, CA Selector, Communication gap, Chadd Sayers, Test series, South Africa Vs Australia
Trevor Hohns has belief in Steven Smith even after a 4-1 rout in ODI series against England. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Hohns Refutes Hierarchy in the Selection Process:

While considering the pecking order, Australian selectors have relied upon the premium quartet in the form of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. However, the squad is strengthened with the promising prospects in the form of Jackson Bird and Jhye Richardson.

“There’s no such thing, I don’t believe in a pecking order. It’s a matter of who suits what we want on any given tour or for any given Test match,” Hohns stated.

Moreover, Hohns has already maintained the position by remarking there was no rebutting over Sayers overlooking, in the traditional format.

“Our communication lines are quite stringent – we ring players who are in the side, and we also ring players who are dropped out of the previous side,” Hohns maintained.

Trevor Hohns, CA Selector, Communication gap, Chadd Sayers, Test series, South Africa Vs Australia
Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns stated he is always available. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The irked top-brass Hohns believes the protocols are in place and there is nothing ominous about the procedure.

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However, Hohns reiterated there had been no issue with the panel when it comes to comminute with the professional cricketers in the national fold.

“There’s no issue with communication as far as I know,” Hohns asserted.

Why the criticism took the centre stage?

Before clearing the air, CA selection committee ignored the 30-year-old right-arm pacer Chadd Sayers, who is representing South Australia, in the domestic fold for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.

“Most players know these days that I don’t mind if they have a gripe in their interviews, but at least talk to me first or wait until I’ve spoken with them,” Hohns takes a shot.

Trevor Hohns, CA Selector, Communication gap, Chadd Sayers, Test series, South Africa Vs Australia
Trevor Hohns clarifies Chadd Sayer’s omission Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The first-class cricketer Sayers has featured in 59 matches in which he bagged 246 wickets at the impressive average of 23.56 and which further include 15 five-wicket haul and ten four-wicket hauls.

Litmus Test after Ashes Success at Home:

Regarding the touring party, Hohns further explained the players who feel they should have been inducted or want to address could contact him directly.

Hohns also, prompted coaches directly after Sayers briefed the media and expressed the disappointment for not being picked

“Every player around the country, if they feel aggrieved or they want some feedback, it’s an open line of communication and we even encourage state coaches to encourage their players to ring me directly,” Hohns concluded.

Trevor Hohns, CA Selector, Communication gap, Chadd Sayers, Test series, South Africa Vs Australia
Apart from Smith and Warner, Trevor Hohns wants players to step up. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Interestingly, the prominent face in the domestic set-up has been the leading wicket-taker in the JLT Sheffield Shield competition in the recent past also missed out the Ashes series at home, before missing out on the gruelling series in the Rainbow nation.

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Tahir Ibn Manzoor is the Editor-In-Chief at Cricket Addictor, who follows cricket like food and he has a great affection for the long-form journalism. He has been associated with the organisation since...