Australia lose ODI series vs Virat Kohli's India, Rodney Hogg rips apart Steve Smith

Sydney: The pressure is mounting on Steve Smith. While he continues to be one of the finest batsmen of modern generation, Smith, the captain, does not have much going for him currently.

Australia, who are currently in India, have already lost the five-match ODI series against Virat Kohli and Co, with two matches still to be played and if they don’t up their game, it is likely that India will dominate them in the three-match Twenty20 series to follow.

While Aaron Finch, on a comeback, scored a century in Indore and Smith had two consecutive fifty-plus scores against his name, Australia have been no match to India thus far in the series. Clearly unimpressed with Australia’s poor run of form, former Australian pacer Rodney Hogg has slammed skipper Smith, selection committee and Cricket Australia.

“They’re picking their mates. Smith shouldn’t be a selector,” Hogg said during SEN’s The Run Home as reported by news.com.au

“(Ashton) Agar’s been pushed through and Cartwright’s still there. We saw (Nic) Maddinson get selected (he’s) a mate, he’s one of Steve Smith’s mates. You can’t pick bloody mates! We’ve got to get fair dinkum. We’re really off the ball a bit here. I think the captain’s getting his own way,” continued Hogg

Hogg did not spare Cricket Australia and team selectors either. Hogg demanded a review of Australian selection panel and its decision making.

“All the way down, there’s got to be question marks. All the way across Cricket Australia,” said the former Australian speedster.

Hogg also questioned Cricket Australia’s decision to call upon Steve O’Keefe to partner Nathan Lyon for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Hogg felt Jon Holland should have been picked ahead of O’Keefe.

“Holland has proven he can bowl people out, left-arm orthodox is a really hard gig. He’s proven it and we aren’t seeing him,” concluded Hogg.