Cricket Australia’s CEO has insisted the ODI series loss to Pakistan was disappointing after a former captain criticised selectors for not caring about the result.

World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke accused Australia, the reigning 50-over champions, of not being fussed about their ODI series against Pakistan in the wake of the 2-1 defeat.

Speaking on the Big Sport’s Breakfast radio program, Clarke said selectors “didn’t care about losing” as several players were rested for the third ODI.

“I’m just a bit confused. So 11 days between now and the first Test [in Perth], why can’t the Aussie boys who are part of this Test series play in the one-dayer?” he said on Monday.

“If Australia had won the first two games, then you can understand why they rest their big fish, but it was [the] series on the line.”

Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head missed the entire series while on paternity leave, while Test stars Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were all absent for the series-deciding eight wicket loss on Sunday.

Cricket Australia’s CEO Nick Hockley defended the selection of the team during the ODI series at a press conference on Tuesday.

Hockley called the series result “extremely disappointing”, but highlighted the importance of giving young players exposure to international cricket ahead of a five-Test series with India, two Tests in Sri Lanka, and then the 50-over Champions Trophy.

“We have been criticised in the past, but not giving new players an opportunity to come in,” he said.

“I think there’s a there was a plan in place, and that plan was really to make sure that our all-format players were absolutely peak condition for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series.

“This was obviously a massively disappointing result, but I think a really good opportunity to expose some of the talent was coming through to the pressures of international cricket.”

Australia and Pakistan will now play three T20s before the first Test against India begins in Perth on November 22.

The five tests in the Border-Gavaskar series will be played in a six-week block, before Australia then travels to Sri Lanka for two Tests.

The Champions Trophy in Pakistan will then be held in February and March, concluding a hectic summer of cricket for Australia.

Hockley said the summer schedule will also need to be addressed to ensure it is travel-friendly.

India will come to Australia’s shores for a white ball series, but no dates have been confirmed.

It will happen before that summer’s Ashes series against England.

“What this schedule has really shone a spotlight on is the travel schedule into such a big series is critical,” CA boss Nick Hockley said on Tuesday.

“This is about thinking ahead and getting players through in the best possible condition.

“As we look to the schedule for next year … we’ll make sure that the travel schedule is optimised so we can continue to put our best possible 11 on the field.”