Oz selectors not under pressure due to continuous criticism: Hilditch

SYDNEY - Australian cricket’s chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has denied that selectors were feeling pressured by the continuous criticism of their decisions.

Hilditch and fellow selectors Greg Chappell, Jamie Cox and David Boon made widespread changes to Australia’s squad for the third Test against England.

“If you don’t make changes, you’re too conservative. If you do make changes, you’re chopping and changing. You can’t win, unless you win,” Hilditch said on Friday.

“We are just doing our job, we’re trying to pick the best possible side for Australia. I’m finding it very exciting, very challenging and hoping to get it right,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying

Hilditch hopes that spinner Michael Beer is ready to debut in Test cricket, after just five first-class games.

“The reality is, he’s got no international experience and it’s a big call from us to throw him into this position,” Hilditch said.

He also hopes Mitchell Johnson’s remedial work turns out okay. “We are really keen on him coming back as soon as possible … whether he’s ready for Perth, I don’t know quite yet. It’s probably not ideal, but it’s not an ideal world.”

Hilditch hopes people will stop asking about the post-Ashes captaincy future of Ricky Ponting, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

“I think he’s the man who is going to lead us through the Ashes, and hopefully successfully. We have got a big job ahead of us but he’s the right man,” he said. (ANI)