In a surprising move, Cricket Australia has imposed a ban on Ashes players speaking with the ABC, a decision reportedly driven by the players themselves.

The national broadcaster was informed that no players would be available for interviews after the second day of the Sydney Test. The ban comes in response to comments made by former fast bowler Stuart Clark that stirred significant controversy.

During his appearance on the ABC, Clark criticized chief selector George Bailey, suggesting he was merely a yes-man with insufficient authority to challenge coach Andrew McDonald. He also questioned the qualifications of James Allsopp, the head of cricket.

Clark remarked, “[Ben Oliver] oversees high-performance cricket, but his current role is unclear to me.”

He continued, “George [Bailey] is the chairman of selectors. Does he possess the gravitas or leadership to direct Andrew McDonald, Steve Smith, or Pat Cummins? He absolutely should, but I doubt he does.”

The Aussie cricket team (pictured after winning the fifth Ashes Test) were behind the shock decision to ban the ABC from talking to stars in Sydney, it has been reported

Former Aussie Test star Stuart Clark (pictured) infuriated Cricket Australia and the team when he criticised chief selector George Bailey and head of cricket James Allsopp

In response, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Green characterized Clark’s comments as inappropriate and enforced the interview ban as a result.

Now a report claims the decision was driven by the players, not the top brass at Cricket Australia.

‘I’m told the playing group led the decision to snub the ABC, backed up by the CA media department who had told the national broadcaster all would be forgiven if an apology was issued – which the ABC refused to do,’ the Australian’s Andrew Webster reported.

Steve Smith – who captained the side in Sydney in the absence of Pat Cummins – and paceman Mitchell Starc have launched staunch defences of Bailey in response to Clark’s criticism.

Bailey has come under repeated criticism from past players since he took over as chief selector in 2021, including Steve Waugh questioning if was willing to make tough calls ahead of this summer.

In that time Australia have won their maiden T20 World Cup, an ODI World Cup in India, a World Test Championship final, retained the Ashes in England and beat both them and India at home.

Smith claimed after day five in Sydney that he was not aware of Clark’s comments or the ABC boycott, but questioned why anyone would be critical of Bailey.

‘He’s done a wonderful job for a long time,’ Smith said.

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg (pictured) described Clark’s comments as ‘out of order’ as the national broadcaster was refused access to Aussie stars

Steve Smith (pictured after winning the fifth Test) has launched a strong defence of Bailey

‘Since he’s been in charge, we’ve made a couple of Test Championship finals. We’ve played really good cricket.

‘We’ve won this series 4-1. So what more is there to say?’

During Bailey’s tenure, Australia have left Nathan Lyon out of pink-ball Tests in Jamaica and Brisbane.

Travis Head was recalled in the middle order and now moved up to open, while Alex Carey was cut as wicketkeeper one game into Australia’s successful 2023 ODI World Cup.

Mitch Marsh was also dropped last summer, while Starc was left out for games during both of the past two T20 World Cups.

‘The greatest thing with George is it’s never a sugar-coating conversation,’ Starc said.

‘He’ll tell you straight up whether it’s conditions-based, role-based or the like.

‘That’s how I can speak on that relationship with George as a selector.

‘As Steve said, I think every move that George and the selection panel have made this series, it’s a 4-1 result.

‘And they have made some tough decisions, not just this series, but even going back a series before. So to sit here 4-1, I think they’ve done a fantastic job.’