SYDNEY: Australian cricket chiefs yesterday backed chief selector John Inverarity after stinging criticism from Test great Shane Warne and other ex-players over the controversial rotation policy.
Warne used his website to speak out against resting players -- particularly fast bowlers -- to guard them from breaking down as a result of the relentless demands of international cricket.
But Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Wally Edwards insisted Australia were on the right track after meeting under-fire Inverarity and general manager of team performance Pat Howard.
The CA board gave its “unequivocal support” for the methods being used after Howard and Inverarity addressed the board of directors in Melbourne yesterday against a backdrop of criticism from former players and the media.
Edwards said Australia were bidding to become the world’s top side by putting into place policies formulated after the release of a wide-ranging report 18 months ago.
“To build a new cricket side is a long term thing.... I’m confident we’re on the right track,” Edwards said.
“They (Howard and Inverarity) noted that since the appointment of the current team performance leadership group Australia has played 15 Tests of which we’ve won 10. We’ve lost two and had three very creditable draws.
“In that time Australia has moved from fifth to third on the world Test rankings.” AFP
