Ashes ‘hammering’ suggests that Oz cricket system is not working: Roebuck

SYDNEY - Noted cricket commentator Peter Roebuck has urged Cricket Australia to instigate an independent review of all cricketing bodies in the country following the 3-1 Ashes series defeat to England.

“It was a slow subsidence that led to a sudden collapse. The production line is not working. For 20 years domestic batsmen ran amok in county cricket. Like so many of the great West Indians, Simon Katich and Mike Hussey made their names in that arena. Now the back-up players cannot secure places in those same counties,” Roebuck wrote in his syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Clearly the time has come to hold those responsible to account. Let’s start at the top. Substantial changes are required across the board and especially in the board. The custom of collecting a few fellows from states and putting them in charge of a multimillion-dollar industry and national game has passed its sell-by date.”

“The board ought to be ditched and replaced by a commission,” he added.

Roebuck also said that Cricket Australia’s chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch’s claim that the selectors did a good job came as a surprise.

“Three spinners were chosen without obvious progress. It was hard to believe that Australia fielded their best six batsmen. It’s all very well talking about talent, but batsmen are supposed to score runs and bowlers are called upon to take wickets. All the more reason to appoint a new panel comprising Steve Waugh, Merv Hughes and Justin Langer,” Roebuck said.

“Defeat is part and parcel of the game. Hammerings suggest that the system is not working,” he added. (ANI)