Thaindian News

Melbourne, Jan 10 (ANI): After a summer of disappointing results and growing discontent among cricketers, the Australian selectors have taken the extraordinary step of scheduling a meeting with every national team player to improve communication with them.

All contracted and prospective players were notified of the offer by chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch to update them on the selectors views on their standings.

The move comes after criticism of selection and uncertainty surrounding omissions. The players were notified of the offer by email yesterday, with the meetings to be held as soon as possible.

Limited overs seam bowler Nathan Bracken confirmed he had received such a notice, the first ever, from Hilditch and said he believed all contracted players had been recipients.

But Victorian batsman Brad Hodge, who publicly admitted he was bewildered over where he stood with selectors after being ignored for tomorrows MCG clash with South Africa, said he had received nothing.

Hodge, who was man of the match when Australia and the ACA All-Stars met in the national teams last Twenty20 outing less than two months ago, reiterated he had no idea what he had done to warrant non-selection, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Theres certainly nothing in my inbox, I can assure you of that, Hodge said last night.

Bracken, who will play in tomorrows match, welcomed the new initiative.

I received an email from Cricket Australia today saying the players will be sat down and speaking with the chairman of selectors, and have a mid-year brief or a mid-season brief, he said.

Obviously youre going to get the feedback and information there that youre after and asking the right questions.

Its good to see that Andrew Hilditch is happy to sit down and tell you where youre at and what their plans are and what theyre looking at from you. I see it as a positive; it gives me a position to work on things and move forward, Bracken said. (ANI)