Australian Test selector Mark Waugh's public commentary about the playing chances of Mitch Marsh have been labelled unfortunate by the side's team performance manager.
But while Pat Howard appreciates that some listeners might hear mixed messages between selectors, team management, players and the public, there is not a problem on the ground.
"You are going to get different messages at different times," he told reporters on during Sunday's abandoned day two at Bellerive Oval.
"That was an unfortunate comment and I think it could have been construed in different ways. But I don't want to put any barriers in the way of selectors putting the best team on the ground.
"If they wanted to pick a completely different XI to give us the best chance of winning, I'm not going to apologise for that."
In the lead-up to the second Test in Hobart, a must-win prospect for the Aussies, Waugh suggested that form-foundering Marsh "definitely has two Tests" to prove his value.
However when the XI was named on Saturday ahead of Australia's disastrous 85-run first innings, Marsh had been dropped.
Former Test players Mitchell Johnson and Chris Rogers subsequently voiced concern about selectors' communication with players.
But Howard agreed with coach Darren Lehmann who said the message from selectors to Marsh had been clear.
"I don't think there is any confusion on the ground," he said.
"The more voices you have the more opportunities you have to hear different voices."
Outgoing national selector Rod Marsh maintains a "very clear" dialogue with players, Lehmann added.
Waugh joined the selection panel specifically for his knowledge of the shorter form of the game ahead of the World Cup and his knowledge is valuable, as is his attendance at matches, Howard said.
"I'm not particularly worried by it - Mark said what he said."
