Sacking Arthur was most difficult decision of tenure: CA chief

Cricket Australia Chief James Sutherland has admitted that showing Mickey Arthur the door was the most difficult decision he took during his 12-year career as in charge but was very happy with the way things had changed since the ouster.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Sutherland is confident that new coach Darren Lehmann's methodology will blend well with that of the general manager of team performance, Pat Howard, amid suggestions that the two may have clashing views on how best to manage Australia's players, particularly fast bowlers.

The extraordinary step of terminating Arthur's contract was taken only 16 days before the first Test against England at Trent Bridge and although the chief was happy with the response, he thought the real test would start next week, the report said.

Sutherland added that the relationship between captain Michael Clarke and former vice-captain Shane Watson was on the right track, with the issue being a concern for the CA hierarchy recently.

The chief further said that the Aussie camp was a pretty happy one at the moment and a team where teammates rely on each other was in the process of being built.