Pat Cummins returns fire over questionable selector relationship critics

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has taken aim at the critics over a questionable relationship within the Aussie dressing room.

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has hit back at suggestions chief selector George Bailey is too close to the current squad after criticism from former Australian coach Darren Lehmann.

Lehmann took aim at Bailey on Tuesday as the third Test in the India v Australia summer series headed for a rain-soaked draw, questioning the former Australian international’s close-knit ties with the team

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“In my opinion, he’s too close to the team,” Lehmann said on ABC Sport.

“I would like him sitting up watching in a selectors’ box somewhere and be able to make his own decisions.

“My preference is the selector to be able to make decisions within a selection group and deliver a hard message if they have to. Make a hard decision if they have to for the betterment of Australian cricket.

“Now, you can’t do that sometimes if you’re too close because you actually get too emotional and you care about the players.”

But Cummins wasn’t having it during his post-Test press conference on Wednesday evening and hit back at the suggestions that Bailey’s relationship with the team was impacting his decision making.

Cummins hit back at the critics. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Bailey has come under fire this summer. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“I don’t know how that (criticism) can be true,” Cummins said.

“There is so much more to picking a side than just looking at the internet. Going on with really strong philosophies, working with players.

“The most important thing is you do stay objective and I think the selection panel are amazing at that.

“They’ve made some really bold calls over the past couple of years in all formats. Probably bolder than I have seen other selectors make in previous years.

“They’ve never shied away from a tough decision.

“What George brings to the role is amazing and I think you would hear that from guys in the side, but also from state guys as well.”

Bailey and Cummins. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Lehmann however isn’t the first former Australian cricketer to call out Bailey with Ian Healy putting him on blast following the opening Test in Perth.

Healy singled out one moment where he believes the chief selector was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Bailey was spotted sitting in the dug-out alongside the Aussie players, but it was when he entered the field of play and shook hands with Indian players that got under the skin of Healy.

“He went out and shook hands with everyone, he did the whole shaking hands in a conga line,” Healy said on SEN Queensland.

“I would be thinking if I’m an Indian cricketer, ‘What do I need to shake your hand for, you’re the chairman of selectors? I just want to hurry up and get this win celebrated’.”

Bailey is often seen in the dug out. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Despite Cummins’ approval of Bailey’s selection process, the chief selector is likely to come under fire from critics if changes aren’t made to the squad for the upcoming Boxing Day Test.

The Australian top order once again failed to fire during the third Test with calls growing for teenage sensation Sam Konstas to be handed his baggy green.

Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne have struggled to have any major impact on the series with their combined average of 14.40 the lowest figure for Australia’s top three in a home Test summer since 1887/88.

But Cummins defended the trio and said lively pitches are the biggest factor in why runs have been hard to come by.

“Everyone’s always hoping to score more runs,” Cummins said.

“The trend in cricket pretty much all around the world is the top three is a really hard place to bat at the moment, particularly here in Australia. The wickets are tough.

“Obviously I would like them to score more runs, but I think they have made some important contributions that others have benefited from.”

It’s been tough going for McSweeney. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Konstas has been on a tear. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

McSweeney finds himself on the hot seat after being thrust into the opening role despite never having opened at first-class level before last month.

Cummins heaped praise on the 25-year-old, pointing out his selflessness during the third innings of the third Test.

“The selectors will get together and pick the squad for the next couple of Tests,” Cummins said.

“It’s been really hard for the opening batters for both sides.

“I’ve been really impressed with the way he’s gone about it, someone starting out his career still being selfless enough to go out there and try and play shots rather than just trying to preserve and get a score.

“He hasn’t probably scored the runs that he would like, but he’s played some important knocks that set up (victory) in Adelaide and a really good result here.”

With two Tests remaining in the series, all eyes will be on Bailey and how the selectors navigate the makeup of the Australian squad over the coming weeks.

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Originally published as Pat Cummins returns fire over questionable selector relationship critics