National selector defends set-up from criticism by former skipper Clarke and says Smith has input into selection
Smith gets Test team he wants: Waugh
National selector Mark Waugh has dismissed talk from ex-captains Michael Clarke and Ian Chappell that Australian skipper Steve Smith is not getting the team that he wants.
Clarke and Chappell questioned the amount of influence Smith was allowed by Cricket Australia's hierarchy on Nine's Wide World of Sport and urged the besieged skipper to take control of his ailing Test side.
Even Smith was coy when asked if he got the team he wanted from selectors after Australia's humiliating second Commonwealth Bank Test loss to South Africa in Hobart.
But Waugh insisted Smith was allowed plenty of input despite not officially being part of the selection panel.
He didn't expect that to change ahead of next week's day-night third Test in Adelaide.
"I have only been a selector for a couple of years but I assure you the captain has a big say in the team," Waugh told Inside Cricket.
"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."
Clarke said Smith "has to take ownership of this team" if Australia were to break their streak of five straight Test losses.
Quick Single: We are here to help, says Clarke
Waugh said nothing had changed under Smith's watch since Clarke's reign.
"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 said.
Speaking on Nine's Wide World of Sport following the Hobart Test defeat, Chappell elaborated further, saying Smith had to take over from the "hangers on".
"The thing I'd be saying to all the hangers-on if I'm Steve Smith is 'When the 'W's go against your name you can take control, but when they go against my name I'm going to do it my way'," Chappell said.
"'I'm going to do it my way and if it's not good enough then you sack me, but don't give me the title without the power'."
Waugh was left scratching his head.
"The players have everything they need in the Australian set up," Waugh said.
"I don't know whether he (Chappell) wants us to go back to a coach and one physio, I don't know."
International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.