MATCH REPORTS
STAT SHEET
DIARY
OTHER SPORTS
SLIDE SHOW
PEOPLE
DEAR REDIFF

Waugh, ACB disagree with Taylor on captaincy

Australian captain Mark Taylor was at odds with his deputy Steve Waugh and the Australian Cricket Board today after he revealed he was considering quitting over selection policy.

Taylor said yesterday that the policy of separate captains for Test and limited overs matches should be rejected for the sake of team harmony.

He has been replaced as skipper by Test vice-captain Waugh for the limited overs series starting in India on Wednesday, continuing a policy started earlier in the year.

ACB chairman Denis Rogers said he was happy with the results of the selection move. He said he wanted Taylor to remain in charge of the Test team for the September series in Pakistan.

"Mark Taylor is an outstanding captain and, of course, we want him to stay on as captain,'' Rogers said on Monday. But Rogers did not envisage a change in the selection procedure.

"(Taylor) has a point of view on it, the selectors have a point of view and the ACB takes into account both Mark's and the selectors's views in these matters and will do so again. I must say that I think (the two-captain system) has been quite successful. Whether it's the perfect solution remains to be seen,'' the ACB chairman said.

Waugh said he was surprised by Taylor's comments and felt the new system should be given more of a chance. "It's a new thing and the start of a new era and it was never going to be an easy transition,'' he said.

"I never for one moment expected it to be smooth for everyone and for everyone to be happy about it. But I don't think it has been given a fair go yet,'' Waugh said, adding that he would accept the Test captaincy if Taylor stepped down.

"I would be happy to be captain anywhere, anytime,'' Waugh said. "If I was captain of the side and Mark Taylor was also in the side that would be fine, there would be no problems.''

Taylor was traveling home from India today following the 2-1 series loss there, along with four other Test players who have been replaced for the tri-nation series against India and Zimbabwe.

He received some support from former Test captain Greg Chappell, a critic of the two-captain system. "I'm in agreement with Mark and have some sympathy for him with how difficult it must be,'' said Chappell. "He's the man on the spot and the powers that be must sit down with him and get his feelings on the subject.''

EXTERNAL LINK:
Taylor hints at quitting Test captaincy