Former Test coach Ian Chappell says talk of Australian coach being on selection panel is concerning

IAN CHAPPELL: Cricket Australia blundered when it accepted the 2011 Argus review recommendation that the captain and coach should both be selectors.

Australian captain Steve Smith stands, Darren Lehmann and former chief of selectors Rod Marsh deep in conversation.

CRICKET Australia blundered when it accepted the 2011 Argus review recommendation that the captain and coach should both be selectors.

The captain was subsequently removed from the panel but the coach retained his vote.

CA officials could be about to make an even bigger mistake if it is true that they’re contemplating a move to make the chairman and coach the only people accountable for selection.

The idea being floated is for only two selectors, who then receive input from the national talent co-ordinator, who in turn would accept feedback from each state talent co-ordinator.

This move would be fraught with danger and when coupled with the coach’s vote, leave selection open to accusations of a “boys club”.

Like or dislike should never come into selection. The selectors only need to ask one question regarding each player — “Can he score a hundred runs or take five wickets?”

If the answer to either is “yes”, then the player is in the team. If the answer to both is “yes”, the selectors should celebrate with a slap-up meal.

(l-r) Australian coach Darren Lehmann, former chairman of selectors Rod Marsh and Australian captain Steve Smith.

The selectors also need to choose a wicket-keeper who is the best gloveman and if he also happens to be capable of making runs, then that’s an added bonus. This rule especially applies to tours of the subcontinent.

One problem with the coach having a vote is the players will be reluctant to confess any misgivings about their ability. There’s also the not-so-minor matter of player and coach becoming close and that’s when like or dislike is likely to cloud judgment.

Players are smart when it comes to retaining a contract and there will always be those who ingratiate themselves with the coach. This becomes a major problem when the coach has a selection vote.

If you add the voice of the state talent co-ordinators, who have their own agenda, then the matter of like or dislike will creep into selection more and more.

I don’t believe the captain should have a vote in selection but it makes more sense to have the skipper on the panel than the coach. As long as a captain understands all the wins and losses go against his name, then he should always be pushing for the strongest team.

On the 1972 tour of England the system was — as it had been for many years — the captain, vice-captain and a senior player comprised the selection panel. For the final match at The Oval we omitted Doug Walters and for the first time an Australian Test team competed without a New South Welshman.

Australian captain Steve Smith (left) with coach Darren Lehmann.

When the side was announced an Australian journalist said to me: “I’m surprised.” I stopped him there.

“If you’re surprised by what I think concerns you,” I interjected, “then you don’t know me very well.”

Walters was a mate of mine but winning the Test was our priority. This was the toughest thing I did as captain but it was an easy decision with Walters being out of form. Australia won the fifth Test to level the series 2-2.

Choosing the right selectors is a much more important decision than appointing a coach and this applies from first-class through to international level. If the right players are chosen and they’re well led and capable, then the Australian team will be strong no matter who is coach.

Therefore it’s the selectors who should be highly paid, not the coaches.

A system whereby there were three independent, full-time Australian selectors who also had some input into the choice of state players — especially young ones with talent — would be ideal.

Under this system the selectors would remain largely at a distance from the players and choose according to what they saw on the field.

In part, the Argus review was commissioned because players were unhappy about the communication they were receiving from selectors. There were similar complaints from the players when Australian cricket bottomed out during this summer’s Hobart Test.

The last thing you want is players having an input into the appointment of selectors.

Originally published as Former Test coach Ian Chappell says talk of Australian coach being on selection panel is concerning