Why Tom Phillips received command of Force Z

Why was Admiral Tom Phillips given Force Z despite claims that he lacked operational experience?

He was a senior, experienced Admiralty officer who understood the problem and had planned a balanced force, but the formation actually sent was far smaller than the one he considered necessary.

Phillips was the senior available admiral and had extensive Admiralty staff experience rather than no relevant preparation. He understood new technology and had drafted a plan for a balanced Far Eastern force with capital ships, a carrier, cruisers, and several destroyer flotillas. What reached Singapore was a severely reduced version because carriers and other ships had been lost or diverted. The exchange separates the choice of commander from the strategic decision to send an under-supported force.