Former Australian Test cricketer Merv Hughes teaches youngsters Zali, 10, and Sam Linke, 11, both of Halls Gap, the art of fast bowling during the McDonald's Cricket Clinic at Dudley Cornell Park in Horsham on Wednesday. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
FORMER Australian Test fast-bowler Merv Hughes has defended Cricket Australia's player rotation policy.
Hughes, who was in Horsham to speak to juniors at a McDonald's Cricket Clinic on Wednesday, said rotating players was a must with the ever-increasing amount of cricket being played, especially with players that were involved in all three forms of the game.
"I agree with it whole-heartedly," he said.
"It's not about having players fit for the Melbourne, Sydney or Hobart test matches against Sri Lanka it's about having blokes fit for the third and fourth tests in India in February and March and having them fit and firing for the English tour of June and July.
"The amount of cricket these guys play, they're Cricket Australia's biggest assets, and they've got to be looked after both physically and mentally."
The comments came just one day after legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne slammed the rotation policy, describing it as 'mind boggling'.
Warne was one of a number of former Australian cricketers, including Brett Lee, Ian Chappell and Michael Slater, voicing their concerns over the policy.
Hughes played 53 tests for Australia and took 212 wickets at an average of 28.4.
He was also an Australian selector from 2005 to 2010.