| Cricket is unique when it comes to selecting a team | | | | they will come in for plenty of criticism if the |
| or squad of players. It has its own unique team | | | | supporters do not agree with some aspects of their |
| selection process that is not found elsewhere in | | | | selection. As in most sports, the cricket fans all have |
| professional sport. In soccer, there is one man in the | | | | their own opinions on who should be selected to play. |
| form of a manager or head coach whose job it is to | | | | That is the beauty of professional cricket and |
| pick the team. Cricket is different and team and | | | | everyone has their own personal views on the game. |
| squad selection is the responsibility of a panel | | | | The cricket coach is usually a selector as well and |
| containing several selectors. The selection panel | | | | because he effectively manages the team his opinion |
| consists of a relatively small number of people who all | | | | carries some weight. If he requests the inclusion or |
| have a background in cricket. Former cricketers have | | | | omission of a certain player, he will probably get his |
| a wealth of cricket related experience gained from | | | | wish. The cricket captain is not part of the selection |
| playing the game at various levels. | | | | panel although his input is sought and valued by the |
| The role of selectors in cricket can sometimes cause | | | | rest of the selection panel. If the skipper offers his |
| controversy especially when a team suffers adverse | | | | views on certain matters these are taken on board. |
| performances and results. The blame for losing | | | | The last thing the selection panel wants is an |
| cricket matches usually ends up at the door of the | | | | unhappy captain so where possible the panel will try |
| selectors. This is perfectly understandable after all it is | | | | to give the skipper the team he wants. |
| the selector's job to pick the team. If those players | | | | The most important role of selectors in cricket is to |
| do not produce the goods then questions are | | | | pick the best eleven cricketers available at their |
| inevitably asked of the people who selected them in | | | | disposal. Sometimes that is not always possible due |
| the first place. In other sports, a manager can be | | | | to player injuries or even a loss of form. There are |
| sacked for poor performance. It is more difficult for | | | | sometimes player selections that cause a great deal |
| this course of action to be applied to cricket. | | | | of controversy and the selectors have to explain the |
| In most cases especially where international cricket is | | | | thinking behind their decision. The ultimate objective is |
| concerned the selectors have a highly paid job. | | | | providing the captain and coach with the best |
| Travelling the world all expenses paid watching top | | | | possible squad of players. |
| class cricket is quite a privileged position. This means | | | | |