Sydney, Aug.18 (ANI): Australian cricketers are unlikely to take a backseat, and their views will feature in the summary of recommendations made by the Don Argus-led review panel to the Cricket Australia board.
Over the next two days, Cricket Australia directors are expected to hear the concerns articulated by players.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, among the concerns that will be reflected are the lack of communication from selectors, a lack of professionalism in preparing for important series and a lack of expertise among some coaches at the Centre of Excellence.
Some of the players interviewed by the Argus review committee have also expressed worries about the health of Test cricket, and those familiar with Argus's corporate history in the mining and banking industries, expect him to recommend a performance-based contract system with stronger incentives to play and aspire to take part in the longest and most cherished form of the game.
On matters of professionalism, one well-placed source asked why Cricket Australia did not send a forward scout to analyse how England deposed India as the No.1 Test nation this winter, given that India will tour Australia this summer.
"If Adelaide were playing Collingwood in three weeks' time they would get on a plane and watch," the source said.
Another questioned the criteria for appointing coaches and assistants, which admittedly has changed with the additions of former internationals Craig McDermott and Steve Rixon.
Head coach Tim Nielsen has some job security on account of a contract extension granted before the Ashes, but the report could suggest a move towards specialist coaches for different forms of the game.
CA insists that players were empowered to speak their minds despite the presence in some interviews of their employer, chief executive James Sutherland, as a facilitator.
"Nobody pulled any punches," a spokesman said.
"It was made clear that he was quite happy to absent himself because it was really important to the board that people felt comfortable making full, frank and fearless observations," the spokesman said.
Should the long-awaited independent review be tabled tomorrow as expected, players in Sri Lanka will be briefed before CA chairman Jack Clarke faces the media in Melbourne.
What happens after that is a matter for the directors who commissioned the inquiry into the problems unmasked by the Ashes, and how to fix them. (ANI)
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