Author: Australian Associated Press

Former fast bowler called head of cricket James Allsopp a ‘grade coach’ and said selector George Bailey lacks gravitas

Cricket Australia has boycotted player interviews with the ABC, furious with the national broadcaster over former Test quick Stuart Clark’s criticism of selector George Bailey and head of cricket James Allsopp.

Clark created headlines on Monday when he criticised the Australian setup in his role as an ABC commentator, labelling Allsopp a “grade coach” and suggesting Bailey was just a yes-man without gravitas to stand up to players and coaches.

• Steve Smith defends allrounder but refuses to confirm his place in side

• Beau Webster and Todd Murphy in the mix to face England at the SCG

Steve Smith has launched an impassioned defence of Cameron Green but can’t guarantee the out-of-form allrounder’s place in the XI for the Ashes series finale.

Australia’s stand-in captain insists all options are on the selection table for the fifth Test, including using both allrounders Green and Beau Webster at the SCG and leaving out spin for the third time in four starts.

• Australia coach Andrew McDonald guarantees veteran will play at SCG

• 39-year-old’s future beyond series finale against England still in doubt

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has guaranteed Usman Khawaja will play at the SCG, but is unsure if it will be the veteran’s last Test.

After turning 39 earlier in December, Khawaja’s future will continue to be a talking point until he announces his retirement.

• Australian captain: ‘I doubt I’ll be playing in Melbourne’

• Spinner set to miss final two Tests with hamstring injury

Australia captain Pat Cummins could join spinner Nathan Lyon on the sidelines for the rest of the Ashes.

Lyon is expected to be ruled out for the last two Tests against England after suffering a hamstring injury in Adelaide on Sunday. And Cummins is unlikely to feature in the fourth Test in Melbourne from Boxing Day, while he is also doubtful for the Sydney finale from 3 January.

• Former fast bowler says attack has gone past his group from early 2000s

• ‘The Australian public won’t recognise how good they are until they’re gone’

Brett Lee has labelled Australia’s current bowling attack as the country’s greatest ever, declaring that Pat Cummins’ side have now surpassed his group from the early 2000s.

Australia’s attack will take one step closer to being reunited in Adelaide this week, with Cummins and Nathan Lyon back in the team alongside Mitchell Starc.

• Paceman has struggled with hamstring and achilles issues

• ‘It’s really flat for him,’ says Australia coach Andrew McDonald

Australian fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series amid hamstring and achilles tendon injuries.

Injuries have thwarted the reliable right-arm quick in recent years and had forced him to watch from afar as Australia took a 2-0 series lead at the Gabba last week.