Australia captain Michael Clarke believes under-fire Cricket Australia high performance manager Pat Howard is doing a 'fantastic job'.
Howard was the target of criticism from Shane Warne this week, with the legendary spinner posting a blog on his website that claimed the organisation was being run by 'muppets'.
Howard – who played 20 rugby Tests for Australia - is believed to be one of the key figures behind CA's controversial rotation policy.
And Warne, a close friend of Clarke's, claimed that cricket people and 'not ex rugby or any other sports people' should be in charge of the sport.
As part of Warne's blog, he published a blueprint which called for several of CA's employees and officials to be replaced with former cricketers.
Clarke said Warne, who took 708 wickets for Australia in 145 Test matches, is entitled to his opinion, but defended Howard.
"I read Warney's article. I think Warney is entitled to his own opinion like anybody," Clarke told reporters on Thursday.
"I think the main thing that Warney is focused on is that he wants to see Australian cricket have success. He wants to see us get back to our winning ways as all Australians do, as the players do, as I know Pat Howard does, as I know the selection panel do.
"I think Patty Howard has, from my point of view, been doing a fantastic job. I think the selection panel have been doing everything in their power to make sure Australia have success, not just now but in the future as well."
Clarke said it was 'not my place' to tell Warne to tone down his criticism, and says that the leg-spinner has 'earned the right to voice his opinion'.
The skipper was more focused on the five-match one-day international series against West Indies that begins in Perth on Friday, and says he is back at 'full fitness' after an ankle injury.
He wants his team to improve their batting on tough pitches, with the team set to be tested on another lively wicket at the WACA.
"I think we need to be more consistent than we were against Sri Lanka," he said.
"I think we played well in patches. We saw different conditions throughout that series, at the MCG and Bellerive (Oval) (the conditions) were very good for batting.
"The other three pitches in between were quite tough and we struggled. Tomorrow is going to be tough for the batters again. There's a fair bit of grass on that wicket. Both teams have good fast bowling, so I think that batting is going to be crucial."
West Indies captain Darren Sammy is hoping the likes of Chris Gayle, Kemar Roach, Keiron Pollard and Sunil Narine - who all played in Australia's Twenty20 Big Bash League this summer - will help his side's chances of winning the series.
"It will be a massive help for us. The experience they've got of playing here over the years will be passed on to the youngsters like (Kieran) Powell. Information is never too much coming from the guys who have that experience," Sammy said on Thursday.
He also backed swashbuckling batsman Gayle to impress against the Australians despite the fact he struggled in the BBL, scoring just 137 runs in seven matches for the Sydney Thunder.
''We all know what Chris is capable of doing. The threat he poses to any opposition is good for us. We have confidence that, come Friday, Chris will be ready. He's one of our most experienced players," he said.