Australia cannot waste talent like India: Chappell

Former India cricket coach and Australia's national selector Greg Chappell has said that his country does not have the liberty to waste talents like India, which has a rich reserve pool.

Fresh from his return to Boston Red Sox and the University of Texas football program to tap into their expertise in identifying talented players, Chappell said, "We're not like India, we can't waste talent."

"They can have a few fall over and there will be someone there backing them up, but we don't have the talent pool they have, so we have to be a lot more efficient," he added.

Chappell also pointed out that Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Simon Katich are well aware of their role in the Australian team, which is going through a transformation phase.

"I don't think we have to send any message to them. They are mature cricketers, they know what the landscape is and they can't play forever. "As long as they can bring something to the table, not only the runs or wickets, but the input they can have with the group, they are viable, but at some stage they won't be, that is just a fact of life," Chappell told the Age.

Emphasising upon the importance of regeneration, Chappell said the concept is important but it can come about in different ways.

He, however, added that there was no need to make wholesale changes.

"We've got a new captain. Change isn't just about personnel, it's about attitude and intent and about tactics, and I'm sure Michael (Clarke) will bring different thought processes to the captaincy, and I think that is a positive thing," Chappell said.

Pointing out at Shane Watson's recent run with the bat, Chappell said, "We need players who are going to help us win games, and Shane Watson opening the batting can help us win games." "(His bowling) also gives the flexibility to play an extra spinner in Sri Lanka or an extra pace bowler in South Africa," he added.

Meanwhile, senior batsman Micheal Hussey has expressed his desire to be a part of the transition.

"I want to be part of the new (era). I want to help the new guys coming in," the left-hander said after the team's series win against Bangladesh yesterday.

"We've got a nice blend at the moment, I think, of some experienced players and then we've got some really young guys. I definitely see a bit of a role to play there to help those guys adapt to international cricket," Hussey added.