Lehmann clarifies Siddle selection

Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann has shed some light on Australia's decision to pick Peter Siddle ahead of Pat Cummins for the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

Recap & highlights: Australia on top at The Oval

Siddle had come into the match in south London under an injury cloud after he suffered groin soreness following last week's match in Northampton, which led to speculation that Cummins would be brought into the side to replace Josh Hazlewood.

While selectors had given no indication to their thinking after Hazlewood was officially ruled out on Wednesday, it surprised some when Siddle was given the nod.

The Victorian, 30, had been overlooked for Australia's previous nine Test matches while Cummins has only just returned to the first-class arena after suffering several serious injuries since his man-of-the-match performance on debut against South Africa in 2011.

With the Ashes already relinquished and Australia due to play 10 Tests between October and February, it had been mooted by some pundits Cummins would be given an opportunity with a view to the future.

Test great Shane Warne led the criticism of the decision on Thursday and stepped up his attack on Friday when he pointed the finger squarely at chairman of selectors Rod Marsh, who Warne says made the final call.

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"By all accounts, the word on the street it was his call," Warne said while calling the game for Sky Sports.

"The captain and coach and everyone wanted Pat Cummins to play.

"But Rod Marsh as chairman of selectors flexed his muscles and said 'I want to play Peter Siddle'."

In a lengthy panel discussion on Wide World of Sports during the lunch break on day two, which included Warne, Lehmann moved to shed some light on the decision.

"It's a tough one," the coach and selector said.

"Peter Siddle was picked on the tour before Patrick Cummins. You could easily got to Patrick Cummins as the next cab off the rank.

"I know Shane was really strong on it.

READ: Warne lets rip at selection process

"Rodney felt that we were going to go Peter Siddle and that's the way we go sometimes.

"Sometimes we make a decision and we think this is the right decision for this particular game. Peter has done everything possible to play and be prepared.

"There's arguments either way and it's always a tough one."