‘It’s never sugar-coated’: Smith’s firm defence of selectors after criticism that sparked ABC ban

Australia’s stand-in skipper Steve Smith has defended selection chair George Bailey following the furore that unfolded when former fast bowler Stuart Clark issued a stinging critique of backroom staff midway through the Sydney Test.

After Australia’s five wicket triumph secured a 4-1 triumph, Smith pointed to the nation’s record across all formats during Bailey’s tenure that began in 2021 as indicative of the successful partnership between players, coaches and selectors.

The only place to stream every match of the 2025/26 KFC BBL LIVE is on FOX SPORTS, available on Kayo Sports. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Although Australia, the defending ODI World Cup champions, has enjoyed significant success at Test level over the past four years and also claimed a T20 World Cup in 2021, criticism surrounding selection has flared on occasion.

After Clark unloaded on Bailey and head of cricket James Allsopp while commentating earlier this week on the ABC, Cricket Australia banned its players from speaking to the national broadcaster after stumps on Day 3.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden also criticised batting coach Michael Di Venuto after the Boxing Day debacle, but Smith has no doubt things are working well when it comes to selection.

“I’m not sure what’s happened there, but in terms of George, he’s done a wonderful job for a long time,” he said.

“Since he’s been in charge, we’ve made a couple of Test Championship Finals, we’ve played really good cricket and we’ve won this series 4-1, so what more is there to say.”

Fox Cricket expert analyst and former Australian opener David Warner said on Wednesday that Bailey’s greatest strength was his honesty and Mitchell Starc, the player of the series, noted he had engaged in direct conversations with the selection chair.

“I think the greatest thing with George it’s never a sugar-coated conversation. He’ll tell you straight up whether it’s conditions based or role based, or the like. That’s how I can speak on that relationship with George as a selector,” Starc said.

“As Steve said, I think every move that George and the selection panel have made this series – it’s a 4-1 result – and they have made some tough decisions, not just this series, but even going back (in the) series before.”

The decision to leave champion off-spinner Nathan Lyon out of the Brisbane Test was one example, with Michael Neser flourishing in the pink ball match before excelling throughout the remainder of the series.

The Australians opted to overlook Lyon’s understudy Todd Murphy for both the MCG and SCG Tests and given the amount the ball turned in the latter stages of this match, there was conjecture as to whether Australia made the right call.

Smith acknowledged the point but defended the decision when pointing to the fact Beau Webster’s contribution with the bat in the first innings when making an unbeaten 71 was crucial to Australia’s ability to secure the victory.

“Now we’re standing here winning, right? Had we not, there’s obviously maybe a bit to answer for there, potentially, but you know, you’ve got to weigh up how you think the game’s going to pan out,” he said.

“We thought the cracks were going to open up quicker than they did, and the rough wasn’t going to be as prevalent as it was. And our batting was obviously really deep, with this guy (Starc) coming in at number 10, (having) scored two crucial 50s throughout the series as well.

“I think that in this game, that lengthened batting order with Beau ending up coming in at nine after a nightwatchman and getting 70, getting us to that total in the first innings, was crucial. So there’s different points in the game you can look at.”