When players start taking key decisions and coach watches, it spells disaster: Aussie great Simon O'Donnell

Australia [Source: Associated Press]

Former Australian legend Simon O'Donnell has expressed his feelings regarding Australian management. After the team's early exit from the T20 World Cup 2022 and Justin Langer's exit from the role of Head Coach, Australia has had more than a few hiccups in their journey. 

O'Donnell believes that the power to take key decisions should lie with the coach and not the players. The Australian veteran also questioned new Head Coach Andrew McDonald's way of coaching. Regardless of O'Donnell's opinion of where the real power should lie, the Australian squad was largely unhappy with Langer's micromanagement. 

Cricket Australia (CA) had to intervene in the matter to bring harmony between Langer and the rest of the squad. 

What O'Donnell said

“When the player opinion started coming in is when this got murky, leadership can never be by negotiation, you can never be there because the players say they like you. You’re there because the performance has to be a certain level and there are certain standards you have to set to get there." 

“I’m a great believer that you can’t lead by negotiation. You cannot lead by saying I’ll do it this way as long as you guys are happy. Andrew McDonald must put his stamp on this and say, ‘this is me as a coach’."

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Sunil Gavaskar says Rohit Sharma is saving runs for the final