National selectors under fire for shoddy protocol for tour game.
The Australian Cricket selection panel has been found itself in an embarrassing bungle after many of the players in picked in the national A side found out of their inclusion via social medial.
As players arrived in Hobart for their clash with the touring England side, many told the same tale of finding out via Twitter they needed to be in Tasmania for the tour clash.
Chief executive of the Australian Cricketers Association Paul marsh said communication between players and administrators had improved after the wide-sweeping Argus review, but did admit players have the right to be told in person they have been picked.
“The feedback I have received over the last few years is that the new selection panel has been better from a communication perspective but there have been isolated instances that players have brought to my attention,” Marsh said.
“That is something Cricket Australia needs to continually improve. Players should be hearing it from them, whether they’re in or out of the team, rather than from social media or a third party.”
Wicketkeeper for the game Tim Paine said the most advanced word he had about possibly playing in the Australian A side was when was included in the Tasmanian selection meetings due to captain George Bailey being in India on national duty.
“We were actually talking about it yesterday, a few of us saw on Twitter, it was interesting,” Paine said.
“I’m happy to be here and getting an opportunity, obviously it means something but it hasn’t been handed down to me as yet, I’m just trying to do as well as I can.
“I heard a few whispers from our head coach that it may happen so they were preparing to pick teams, and being captain of Tassie that’s how I found out about it through our selection meeting, then I came out [of the meeting] and it was on Twitter. No phone call.”
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