Stead and Williamson have ‘too much power’

selector would also be able to consult with other selectors back in New Zealand. Turner knows the subject well, being a former New Zealand Cricket chairman of selectors.

‘‘You’ve got the conflict of interest there in selection when you’ve got the coach and captain dominating selection, particularly on tour,’’ Turner said.

‘‘That becomes an issue. Most of the time when I was a selector I found out fairly quickly you become a cadence selector because the power of selection was taken away within the camp.’’

Under the existing system, clarified by NZC boss David White last week, Stead has the final say on selections for both tour squads and the playing XI, with strong input from Williamson.

Former international Gavin Larsen is the only other selector, and helps Stead pick all Black Caps’ squads. Larsen was present before the first test against England at Mount Maunganui, and before the Boxing Day test in Melbourne. New Zealand made several head-scratching selections during the test series, with leftarm spinner Mitchell Santner persisted with in Melbourne, despite going wicketless for 146 runs in the series opener in Perth and looking out of sorts.

Senior pace bowler Tim Southee was left out for the third test, given a supposed busy recent workload – a baffling move considering Trent Boult was out injured and New Zealand didn’t have any cricket for several weeks after the match.

Turner sympathised with Williamson, with the captain’s large role in selection becoming ‘‘normalised’’ over the last 20 years.

‘‘That’s where the conflict comes. Naturally whether they consciously or sub-consciously look after mates, and obviously those that have been there for a while have more of an opportunity to advertise themselves to whoever is in charge.

‘‘What needs to happen is the selectors need to be independent and it doesn’t mean they don’t consult the coach or the captain.

Until that independence is there you will always have conflicts of interest and the downsides or the results of those.’’

Turner said several other countries were taking a selector on tour, a concept he liked. When the captain and coach were involved, their selections tended to focus only on the immediate, rather than any forward planning. ‘‘When it comes to the day, how can you actually have the medium to longer term in view when the captain or the coach are selecting on the day or the moment?

‘‘You can’t have two lots of selectors. You can’t have those at home, the independent three, and then they’re over-ruled on tour.’’

Turner was dismayed by the lack of application from New Zealand’s batsmen and bowlers across the three matches. They were guilty of making basic technical mistakes. The lack of grit and determination to stick it out across multiple sessions was also alarming.

New Zealand got past 200 just twice in six innings and were in the field for all 12 days of the series.

‘‘The lack of willingness to occupy the crease was sadly lacking. There’s no doubt about that.

‘‘Players were giving their wicket away too easily. The Australian batsmen that got the big scores batted long periods of time, particularly in the first innings to get the scores they got.’’

Marnus Labuschagne proved a constant thorn in their side, amassing 549 runs from six innings at 91.50, including knocks of 143 and 215. David Warner and Steve Smith frequently chipped in with the hosts scoring more than 400 in each of their first innings.

‘‘You need to play the percentages. Instead of trying to bowl magic balls or a delivery to try and get somebody out, you play the percentages and nick people out,’’ Turner said.

‘‘With the new ball, you’ve got to make the batsman play and if they’re able to let the ball go it’s a wasted ball.

‘‘What tends to happen is you get players applauding one that’s been let go by a batsman as if to say it’s a dot ball. You want more than a dot ball with the new ball.’’

Things don’t get any easier for the New Zealand test side with world No 1 India awaiting in a two-match series, beginning February 21 at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

With test championship points on the line, India will be highly motivated.

Turner expected New Zealand would put up a sterner fight in home conditions.

‘‘It shouldn’t affect them too much. You run faster being chased or if you’re hungry. One of the things you try and overcome as a player is to face adversity and sort your own act out. Everyone should be striving to do that.’’