Fans hit out at Aussie selectors over bizarre Marsh explanation
Cricket fans have questioned Australia’s decision to appoint dual Test vice-captains, with chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns coming under scrutiny.
Mitch Marsh and Josh Hazlewood were unveiled as Tim Paine’s deputies on Thursday ahead of next month’s two Tests against Pakistan in the UAE.
The appointment of Marsh and Hazlewood came after a player vote and formal interview, both of which were unprecedented measures from CA.
Hazlewood and Marsh presented to a panel that consisted of selectors Hohns and Greg Chappell, CA chairman David Peever, CA board member Mark Taylor, coach Justin Langer, team psychologist Michael Lloyd and CA high-performance boss Pat Howard.
“We believe the new leadership model will best support the captain. It is a successful model used across various sporting codes wound the world,” Hohns said.
“We see it benefiting the group. Not just from a tactical perspective but also to help drive the team’s values and standards on and off the field.”
Marsh, who captains Western Australia and led Australia A earlier this month, was always considered the frontrunner in the leadership race to be skipper Tim Paine’s understudy.
Even in the face of CA’s desperation to improve the team’s culture in the aftermath of the ball-tampering saga, one of Hohns’ reason for Marsh’s elevation stood out.
“He is an extremely popular member of the team, he has great humility and, given his lineage, he understands and respects the responsibility which comes with representing Australia and Australians,” Hohns said.
Marsh, and his Test teammate and brother Shaun, are the sons of former Australian batsman Geoff.
Marsh Sr played 50 Test matches before becoming a coach and selector in the late 1990s, giving his two boys plenty of exposure to the top level before they became elite cricketers themselves.
Respected cricket journalist Geoff Lemon was among those to question that particular reasoning, while others wondered why two vice-captains were required.
Mitch Marsh is a good current pick for vice-captain. But CA gave as a reason that “given his lineage, he understands and respects the responsibility which comes with representing Australia.” They’re explicitly citing hereditary privilege as selection policy now.
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) September 27, 2018
Surely the current Lord Tennyson must be due for a go as England captain based on his lineage
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) September 27, 2018
Cricket Australia selection chief Trevor Hohns:
"given [Marsh's] lineage, he understands and respects the responsibility which comes with representing Australia and Australians"
That isn't going to go down well with anyone whose name isn't Marsh or isn't a West Australian…
— Pinidu Chandrasekera (@PiniduC_31) September 27, 2018
It's a joke. Like you said, MMarsh currently is a good fit for VC given recent form and leadership experience, but CA's comments lack so much self-awareness that it's bordering on incompetency.
— Alex Paull (@alex_paull) September 27, 2018
The lineage line got me. Couldn’t run a bath
— Simon (@swa11ace) September 27, 2018
Good luck to them, but having Paine as Captain, with Hazelwood & Mitch Marsh as VCs, is an indictment on where #AustralianCricket is at.
— Dr. McBoogerballs (@Hurleystaxi) September 27, 2018
I see Australia haven't got the overreaction to #SandpaperGate out of their systems yet. Now it's *two* vice-captains.
"Australia Test captain, Tim Paine, will have two deputies supporting him this summer, with Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Marsh appointed as joint vice-captains" pic.twitter.com/sQracO5Ioy— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) September 27, 2018
Put me on air tomorrow and I’ll tell you. I’m 50% outraged (Mitch Marsh) 🙅🏻♂️
— John Donohoe (@jdonohoe12) September 27, 2018
Two vice captains. While not questioning Mitch Marsh or Josh Hazelwood and their abilities what a stupid decision.
— Ben Williams (@BWilliams1901) September 27, 2018
The shared role also came about to avoid unwanted friction between leaders, with the Test vice-captaincy previously coming with the unofficial title of captain-in-waiting.
“It was not a process designed to find the next Australian Test captain but to find two vice-captains who will support and help drive the team’s goals and objectives,” Hohns said.
“Josh and Mitch display great leadership qualities and we were extremely impressed by their passion and energy.”
Marsh vowed he and Hazlewood would do everything they can to make Paine’s life easier.
“I’ve certainly grown as a leader in the last 12 months for Western Australia. I’ve found out a lot about myself, about leadership,” Marsh said.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to instil that on young guys coming through, what it is to be an Australian cricketer and what we stand for going forward.”
Marsh will be in the side for the first Test against Pakistan, which starts on October 7 in Dubai, while Hazlewood will soon ramp up his rehabilitation in the one-day cup with NSW.
with AAP
