Melbourne [Australia], Nov.17 : Australia national selector Mark Waugh has insisted that skipper Steve Smith has a 'big say' in the team selection after the side slumped to a three-match Test series defeat against South Africa in Hobart.
Waugh's comments came in the wake of the claims by former Australian captains Michael Clarke and Ian Chappell that Smith is not getting the team that he wants.
The two former skippers asked for Smith to be given more responsibility in the team selection if they wanted to return back on track after suffering their fifth straight Test defeat,including by an inning and 80 runs in the second Test against the Proteas in Hobart.
Quashing the claims, Waugh said Smith is allowed to put plenty of input despite not officially being part of the selection panel.
"I have only been a selector for a couple of years but I assure you the captain has a big say in the team.
He's not a selector but you respect what he says. He's got to deal with the players on the field so you need to give him the players he wants," Waugh was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Waugh also affirmed that nothing has changed under Smith's ownership since Clarke's retirement following Ashes series defeat to England in 2015.
"When Michael Clarke was captain and when Steve Smith took over, the captain has had a very big say in his team.
So I am not quite sure what Michael is talking about there," Waugh added. Australia will play their inconsequential day-night Test match against South Africa, beginning from November 24 at the Adelaide Oval.
Source: ANI
