Crisis as Australia axes four players
Source: AFP |
March 13, 2013, Wednesday
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AUSTRALIA'S test team has been plunged into crisis after four players were axed for not doing a homework assignment during the tour of India as an Ashes double-header looms against England.
Vice captain Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson were all suspended for one Test on Monday in what Australian media called "one of the most sensational days in Australian cricket history".
Trailing 0-2 in the Indian test series, all the players had been told to prepare feedback on how they could improve and were given five days to deliver it but all four failed to meet the deadline and paid a heavy price.
Skipper Michael Clarke said the players had shown a lack of respect for coach Mickey Arthur, with their axing the culmination of a general slide in attitudes on the Indian tour.
In a video statement released by Cricket Australia, an exhausted-looking Clarke made clear it was not an isolated incident. "It's a lot bigger than that. There's been a number of things on this tour that have not been up to the standard we would want as an Australian cricket team, hence our performance," he said.
Watson, 31, who has threatened to quit, decided to return to Australia, leaving Clarke desperately short of experienced heads after the recent retirements of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey.
With back-to-back Ashes series starting in July against a powerful England team, former players strongly criticized the decision by Arthur and Clarke.
"Adults we are, not schoolboys," tweeted Darren Lehmann, seen as a future Australian coach.
Former captain and selector Allan Border was equally astounded. "What are they on, a schoolboy tour?," he told Fox Sports.
"I don't see the logic in this. It is way over the top. It seems too strong a measure for coach and captain to take."
The Australian newspaper said it was "an all-round mess".
Vice captain Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson were all suspended for one Test on Monday in what Australian media called "one of the most sensational days in Australian cricket history".
Trailing 0-2 in the Indian test series, all the players had been told to prepare feedback on how they could improve and were given five days to deliver it but all four failed to meet the deadline and paid a heavy price.
Skipper Michael Clarke said the players had shown a lack of respect for coach Mickey Arthur, with their axing the culmination of a general slide in attitudes on the Indian tour.
In a video statement released by Cricket Australia, an exhausted-looking Clarke made clear it was not an isolated incident. "It's a lot bigger than that. There's been a number of things on this tour that have not been up to the standard we would want as an Australian cricket team, hence our performance," he said.
Watson, 31, who has threatened to quit, decided to return to Australia, leaving Clarke desperately short of experienced heads after the recent retirements of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey.
With back-to-back Ashes series starting in July against a powerful England team, former players strongly criticized the decision by Arthur and Clarke.
"Adults we are, not schoolboys," tweeted Darren Lehmann, seen as a future Australian coach.
Former captain and selector Allan Border was equally astounded. "What are they on, a schoolboy tour?," he told Fox Sports.
"I don't see the logic in this. It is way over the top. It seems too strong a measure for coach and captain to take."
The Australian newspaper said it was "an all-round mess".
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