New Australian coach Darren Lehmann says performance is paramount and fast bowlers would only be rested if they’re physically unable to last the five days of a Test match.
Lehmann said he would never rotate a player for the sake of it, but by the same token wouldn’t be taking fitness risks.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said earlier in the week that players would no longer be rotated out of the side as a means of blooding new talent.
Lehmann agreed and said form would be his benchmark.
“If you’re performing, you’re in the side,” said Lehmann.
“We are going to pick the best available each and every time. They’ve got to be fully fit to play. If they are fully fit and they can get through Test matches they will play and if they’re not they won’t.
“That’s as simple as it will be.”
Lehmann said each case would be different.
He would take on board advice from those in charge of wellness indexes, but at the end of the day he would make a call.
“We will judge that as it comes. I’m certainly guided by the guys that do that. At the end of the day we will have to make calls,” he said.
Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin was asked prior to the tour match against Somerset whether players would be rotated during the Ashes.
His facetious response reflected the opinion passionately held by cricket fans for years that policies which cheapened the Australian shirt were wrong.
“No, I think we’re going to rotate our players in and out of Ashes games,” Haddin said with a smirk, before getting serious.
“This is as big as it gets and common sense says you pick the best team you can to play for Australia. That’s not going to be an issue.”
JGK
Roar Guru
That's what I would go with and hope that one of Harris and Watto makes it through uninjured.
Jameswm
Guest
Thats all firepower. No Bird or Siddle to bowl the overs and keep it tight.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Or Pattinson, Bird and Harris
Matthew Parker
Roar Rookie
Yes.. very good.. about time!
Pete B
Guest
As Lehmann says they'll pick the team on form, am starting to feel that P. Siddy won't play the 1st test. He just hasn't found any form. I expect he'll have to play the next warmup game now, and if he performs well he's in, otherwise Pattinson, Starc and Harris it will be.
Felix
Guest
He'll be the BBL's marquee ex-player commentator I guess?
p.Tah
Guest
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-19/cricket-australia-plays-down-nine-selection-talk/4766572
Gr8rWeStr
Guest
Another good move from Boof. Of course, it application does very much depend on the definition of fit, especially when most professional sports people are carrying a niggle or more. Starc would have played Boxing Day instead of Bird, but would Siddle have been 'fit'to play in Perth after bowling himself to a stand still in Adelaide?
dubblebubble
Guest
I'm sorry I must have missed something but did Channel 9 really say they would have a say in team selections? And if so, why wasn't more made of this?
Kozcongo
Guest
Thank god arthur is gone -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
The rotation policy should have been abolished ages ago! Darren Lehmann is sounding more ideal to this job everyday he is in charge. Good luck to Boof :)
Fra-Dog
Roar Rookie
Haha, nah that's Cameron Smith's future job.
p.Tah
Guest
Channel 9 says at a function that they will have a say in the teams selections. A week later Arthur is sacked and the rotation policy is dumped. Happy with the decision on the rotation policy but can't help but think there were a few strings pulled by people outside CA.
Johnno
Guest
I bet you John Buchanan is livd at Boof's appointment, to old school lol. And also not having meeting for the sake of having meetings.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
Lehmann will bring a touch of old school to the dressing room but he won’t be a pushover, as this interview indicates: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/boofs-way-renewed-bite-and-a-bit-of-a-laugh-20130628-2p2wg.html
Roberto
Guest
We haven't won a game yet???
Top Secret
Roar Pro
man i miss common sense when its not there. thank goodness for lehmann! he looks like his own man, with old fashion values. hopefully he can get rid of the ice baths for ice beers too.
Top Secret
Roar Pro
no big deal. he probably signed a short term contract that allows him to freelance. hardly a story.
Top Secret
Roar Pro
sounds like a bit of whinging from nathan bracken influenced too many people.
Top Secret
Roar Pro
Can this bloke be Prime Minister as well...?