Rodney Hogg lashes out at Steve Smith, Cricket Australia

The former fast bowler says the Australia captain “can’t pick bloody mates.”

Rodney Hogg played for Australia in the 1970s and 1980s.

Former Australia fast bowler Rodney Hogg has accused skipper Steve Smith of favouritism in team selection, and also ripped apart selectors for the run of losses in the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series against India. Australia trails the host 3-0 in the five-match series.

“They’re picking their mates. Smith shouldn’t be a selector. (Ashton) Agar’s been pushed through and Cartwright’s still there. We saw (Nic) Maddinson get selected, (he’s) a mate, he’s one of Steve Smith’s mates. You can’t pick bloody mates,” Hogg was quoted as saying on SEN’s ‘The Run Home ’ .

“We’ve got to get fair dinkum. We’re really off the ball a bit here...I think the captain’s getting his own way.”

Hogg said a serious review of Australia’s selection panel and its decision making process was needed if the Aussies were to improve. “All the way down, there’s got to be question marks. All the way across Cricket Australia,” he said.

Hogg also questioned Cricket Australia’s decision to call upon Steve O’Keefe to partner Nathan Lyon for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Hogg felt Jon Holland should have been picked ahead of O’Keefe. “Holland has proven he can bowl people out, left-arm orthodox is a really hard gig. He’s proven it and we aren’t seeing him,” said Hogg.