MELBOURNE, Jan 12: Australia's chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has blamed senior players Brett Lee, Michael Hussey and Matthew Hayden for the cricket team’s poor performance in the Test series against India and South Africa.

“Senior players make rebuilding process successful but in the Test series against South Africa and India, we didn’t get great input from them,” Hilditch said.

Hilditch singled out Lee, Hayden and Hussey for criticism.

“Brett Lee didn't have a good series either in India or South Africa, and that's your premier strike bowler,” he said.

“Obviously Matthew's had a bit of a disappointing run, and Michael Hussey, you could never predict that he wouldn't have a significant impact against South Africa. So they're the key areas which led to South Africa winning,” he said on ABC radio. —Agencies