Greenberg backs in Australian selectors after Maddinson duck

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has stood by the Australian selectors following a disappointing return to Test cricket for Nic Maddinson.

Greenberg also discussed the resurfacing stories around Sandpapergate, the future of Test cricket and privatisation in an insightful interview with SEN Cricket during Day 1 of the First Test at Durban.

Maddinson’s 33-ball duck broke the Test record for the longest duck by an Australian opener this century and sparked fierce debate about his position in the side.

“It's always fascinating, any selection creates some form of debate,” Greenberg said.

“I was disappointed that he didn't make some runs this morning because clearly our selectors have a firm view that he's a high talent, and that's why they've picked him.

The inclusion of Maddinson ahead of a handful of younger players drew criticism from the likes of former opener Matthew Hayden, who voiced his concern for the future of Australian cricket.

Greenberg was unfazed by the outside noise though.

“I think it's very predictable because it's very easy to be critical. I get that, and as long as Adam's been around, former players will criticise current generations,” he explained.

“That will always continue, and I think part of that's healthy in cricket, as long as it doesn't get personal.

“But people are paid to have an opinion, we have to accept that, and ultimately people are then judged on outcomes. That's the thing about any selection, any player, the judgement always comes on performance.

With no player currently in the Australian team under the age of 30, there are serious questions being raised about the preparation for the next generation of Australian cricketers.

However, Greenberg hinted that there was more to it than the narrative that has been playing out publicly.

“There's a level of information that's available to the media and to the public, and then there's an enormous amount of depth that goes into the thinking and planning beyond that,” the former NRL CEO said.

“We're not all privy to that information, and again, some of it's objective and some of it's subjective, but I do know in relation to specifically to Nic that there are people in decision-making capacity in Australian crew who have enormous regard for him as a player, and that's why he's been given this opportunity.”

It was a small crowd for the opening day of the series in Durban, with the popularity and longevity of Test cricket in nations outside of the big three dwindling. Greenberg believes it will lead to a markedly different Test landscape in the years to come.

“I think that [Test cricket] will remain really strong in certain parts of the world, particularly for Australia, where we've got primacy and we've got ownership,” Greenberg said.

“But I do think there'll be less countries playing test cricket, and I've got into slight trouble saying that publicly a few times, because it doesn't land well with certain parts of the world.

“I can understand that, but it's so expensive to play Test cricket, and when I say expensive to play, I don't mean the actual matches, it's the investment you make in your infrastructure and your systems underneath it. Unless you can afford to do that properly, then you can't possibly succeed at this level.”

This tour of South Africa also comes with extra baggage as Australia return for Test cricket for the first time since the infamous Sandpapergate.

“That's why I'm here on the ground. I wanted to make sure that the players had a level of support, as did the staff, for the first time we've been here in that 8 year period,” said Greenberg.

“I was a little unsure, as were the players and the staff, about what sort of reception we'd get and was there going to be a level of angst and anxiety in the test?”

“But I’ve got to tell you, walking the streets, being out for dinner with the team, the reception from locals have been fantastic. I'm pleased about that, because I think our team's moved on incredibly over 8 years.”

Back at home, the talk around privatisation has divided the cricketing community with the states unable to agree on how to proceed. At present, the Melbourne Renegades are set to be the first club to be sold off to private owners with the process now underway.

The speculation is that the club could be worth over $200 million.

“I'd like to think that's a good starting proposition,” Greenberg stated.

“I think we're in week four of the process. There's a lot of confidentiality in the process, but what I can tell you is we're not short of people who are interested.

“I would caution people just to concern themselves straight away with IPL owners or Indian investors. There are people from all over the world who have expressed interest and have come into our process, so fascinating to see what will unfold.”

Day 2 coverage of the First Test between South Africa and Australia continues live on the SEN network from 6:00pm (AEDT).