Graveney defends Fletcher over Panesar non-selection

David Graveney, the England chairman of selectors, has defended Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, following England's defeat at Adelaide last week while dismissing rumours of a rift between the captain and coach.

"I'm disappointed with the amount of criticism that's been aimed at Duncan [Fletcher] solely," Graveney told BBC Radio Five Live. "The way that we've organised English cricket is around collective responsibility, when things go badly, that's a collective responsibility."

Fletcher was quick to defend himself last week, laying the blame firmly on the shoulders of his batsmen and not the negative non-selection of Monty Panesar. Reports speculated that the captain, Andrew Flintoff, and coach were at loggerheads over Panesar but Graveney insisted the selection committee comprises more than just Fletcher.

"The selectors, Duncan, Geoff Miller and I, deliver a squad to the coach Duncan and captain Andrew Flintoff. No-one makes a decision on their own. The process has been in place of many tours before, on which we've had a lot of success.

"In the first Test, regrettably our seam bowling was not on the money at all, and in the second one we had a mad hour with the bat," he said. "We've got great resolve in this team - we've had some success, but we now everyone has to pull together.

"We just had a mad hour with the bat and succumbed to the pressure applied by the number one ranked team in the world," he added. "Perhaps there is the possibility of playing with two spinners in Perth as the wicket is now slow instead of being the quickest in the world.''

England drew their tour match with Western Australia today and there were encouraging signs of form from the batsmen, with Alastair Cook, Ed Joyce and Chris Read all making useful contributions. Michael Vaughan, however, did not bat, compounding the confusion of his involvement with the squad.

"Our target is for Michael to be available for one day games," Graveney said. "I know he has fielded all day and did not suffer from a reaction in his knee. But it is unlikely he will feature in these Test matches."

The third Test at Perth begins on Thursday.