Queensland coach slams CA selectors for snubbing ‘complete cricketer’ Hopes

SYDNEY - Queensland coach Trevor Barsby has slammed Cricket Australia selectors for snubbing all-rounder James Hopes for next month’s ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Hopes has been overlooked for Australia’s 15-man squad despite being a regular member for the past three years.

“I’m not sure what is going on. I hope this decision just means they wanted to give James some [domestic] cricket after the Indian series,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Barsby, as saying.

“I would be disgusted if, after having done everything that has been asked of him in the Australian side - whether that be opening the batting, opening the bowling, closing out the innings at No.6 or 7 or bowling at the death - that they would even think of discarding him like this.”

“It’s not the sort of treatment you expect of a player who does whatever job it was asked of him, and does it by executing his skill to the very best of his ability,” he added.

Hopes has reportedly been told by the selectors that they are looking to take only two all-rounders -Shane Watson and Steven Smith- to next year’s World Cup.

The 32-year-old has played 84 ODIs since his debut in 2005, and has scored 1326 runs at an average of 25.01 and 67 wickets at an average of 35.58. (ANI)