The Australian fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile has been unhappy with the Australian selection committee for their poor communication from them following his omission from the ODI squad against India. He said that the selectors have not checked his fitness status properly.
Cricket Australia (CA) chief selector Trevor Hohns had said Coulter-Nile was not picked due to lower back soreness but the pacer, who has a long injury history, claimed subsequent scans had found that he is clear of an injury. Just a day after Australia named the ODI team on January 4, Coulter-Nile claimed 3 for 25 for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League.
Talking to ABC Radio, the lanky pacer said that the back soreness that was given as the official reason should not have been enough to exclude him. He explained, “I didn’t take (the news) the best, to be honest. I think it was communicated to me really poorly. I won’t go into it, but I don’t think soreness is really any excuse for not playing cricket. In fairness, I hadn’t had a scan yet. I had had back soreness and back history, but I hadn’t had a scan to see what was wrong. I had one when I got home and it was all clear.”
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Coulter Nile feels that the selectors had picked the team even before he underwent a scan to know what was wrong with his back. He understood that the selectors might’ve shown their cautious approach towards fast bowlers with a history of back problems but added he wanted to be aware of the full picture.
The fiery fast bowler further added, “I was getting some mixed messages about what was happening — that’s just the way it is. I have no issue with being dropped, I just like to get a clear message about why – I was told it was because I had a sore back. JL (coach Justin Langer) asked me when they were selecting the team, I said I have a sore back but I haven’t had a scan yet. With my history, it was just better off to check it. I think communication used to be a little bit better – from everyone.”
There has been some anxiety among the dropped cricketers over lack of communication on selection decisions. The subject of communication between selectors and players was also highlighted by Australian Cricketers Association president Greg Dyer amid the ongoing debate about potential being given more sway than performance.
