Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has admitted selectors could have handled wicketkeeper Brad Haddin's omission from the Australian one-day team better.
When Haddin's name was missing from the squad announced for the first three games of the Commonwealth Bank Series by the national selection panel, chairman John Inverarity said it was because he was being 'rested'.
Inverarity, who has only been in the role since late last year after taking over from Andrew Hilditch, insisted that nothing more should be read into the decision to go with Victorian gloveman Matthew Wade.
But with Wade impressing with man-of-the-match awards in successive T20 and ODI games against India in Melbourne earlier this month, there was no mention at all of Haddin when selectors named their squad for the next two games earlier this week.
Haddin said on Sydney radio soon after being left out that he felt he had been dropped, and Sutherland confirmed that when he spoke to reporters outside the SCG on Friday afternoon.
"Brad's very aware of the position," Sutherland said. "He's had a number of conversations with the selectors, particularly the national selector over the last few weeks and probably as soon as just over 24 hours ago."
"He knows that he's out of the team on a performance basis and he's under no illusions as to where he sits in selectors' eyes."
"As I understand it the communications with Brad have been very good."
"There's no doubt and there has never been any doubt in Brad's mind as to where selectors see him."
According to Sutherland, Haddin has been kept informed of his position all the way through, but the CEO did concede the NSP could have handled the situation much better.
"I know that he (Haddin) doesn't necessarily want to be out of the team but I think at the same time he feels refreshed and raring to go and ready to fight his way back," he added.
"I think there has been a very strong focus over the last few months for the national selection panel to communicate very clearly to the players."
"Personally I understand over the past couple of weeks there might have been some uncertainty in the public space about this particular selection."
"Personally I think we can do better and we need to do better in that regard than we will."
While he is in regular contact with selectors, Sutherland will also remind Inverarity and fellow panel members Rod Marsh and Andy Bichel of their obligations to be open about their decision-making.
"We're not comfortable with the level of uncertainty and public discussion on this particular matter," Sutherland said.
"The really important thing though for us, and the real focus in recent times for the national players, has been to the players and perhaps that area of improving that for the public's benefit just needs to be touched up on as well."