India vs Australia: Former fast bowler Rodney Hogg hits out at Steve Smith, accuses him of picking his 'mates' in team

All the way down, there's got to be question marks. All the way across Cricket Australia," Hogg said.

PTI, Sep, 27 2017

Melbourne: Former Australia fast bowler Rodney Hogg has accused skipper Steve Smith of favouritism in team selection, and also ripped apart the selectors for the run of losses in the ongoing ODI series against India.

Australia trail the hosts 0-3 in the five-match series.

File image of Australia cricket captain Steven Smith. AP

File image of Australia cricket captain Steven Smith. AP

"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 captains getting his own way."

Hogg, who was menacingly fast in his heydays, played international cricket in the late seventies and early eighties. He said a serious review of Australia's selection panel and their decision making process was needed if the Aussies are 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.

Published Date: Sep 27, 2017 | Updated Date: Sep 27, 2017



Rank Team Points Rating
1 India 4493 125
2 South Africa 3395 110
3 England 4497 105
4 New Zealand 3114 97
5 Australia 3294 97
Rank Team Points Rating
1 South Africa 5957 119
2 Australia 5505 117
3 India 5266 117
4 England 5645 113
5 New Zealand 5123 111
Rank Team Points Rating
1 New Zealand 1625 125
2 England 1962 123
3 Pakistan 2417 121
4 West Indies 2222 117
5 India 2183 115