BREAKING: Test cricketers James Pattinson, Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, and Mitchell Johnson have been sensationally banned from the third Test against India at Mohali for breaching team protocol.
The phrase conjures images of drunken antics, but according to ABC reports the four players failed to meet a deadline “to provide feedback to coach Mickey Arthur on how the side can improve”.
Arthur said that the axing was a “line in the sand” moment, as he tries to assert control of the side after starting the tour with two heavy losses.
“The teams that are best in the world have best attitudes, have best behaviour patterns and a good, hard, ruthless culture,” said Arthur.
The decision is currently being attacked on Twitter, with notable critics including former Test batsman and domestic coach Darren Lehmann.
“Adults we are, not schoolboys! Please let’s act properly and make good decisions in India! Need these boys playing,” tweeted Lehmann.
Richie Benaud’s parody account posted “I can confirm that all 4 players banned did in fact do a presentation. ‘Change the coach’ appears to be a theme that wasn’t the right answer.”
The suspensions leave only 11 of the original squad definitely available, along with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade who is in doubt with an ankle injury, and Brad Haddin who is on his way to India as a reserve keeper.
The third Test from March 14 could feature all three squad all-rounders, with Steve Smith the only potential batting replacement, or could feature Haddin as a specialist batsman even if Wade plays. Either way, the top six will be makeshift.
Down 2-0, this latest news will make it even more difficult for the side to make a comeback.
Australia had named a 17-man squad on this tour of India, but with Jackson Bird’s injury withdrawal and now the suspensions, all of that reserve will be required.
Johnson and Khawaja had yet to play a part in the series, but Khawaja looked increasingly likely for a call-up, while Pattinson and Watson featured in both the opening games. Pattinson will be the most missed, having easily been Australia’s best and most threatening bowler this series.
Twitter comic Fake Nathan Hauritz perhaps summed up the mood best with “The important thing is that everybody is once again taking Australian cricket seriously, right?”
Video via Cricket Australia.
cricketbash
Guest
Damn, it looks so funny ain't it? Even for an Indian supporter like me... I suppose, Mickey is totally outta his mind.. I was personally disappointed to see Jamie Pattinson sit out.. Mohali, traditionally helps seamers and Patty with his break-neck speed could have rattled Indian batsmen.. It could have made for a keen contest had all of em present in full force.. We wanna see good cricket not just a boring, routine Indian win. We do want India to win but only after giving a fair chance to the opponents. Eh, Mickey's antics ruined our day.. It's silly for all arguments of discipline, why the heck Watto should do Mickey's job.. Peer reviews.. Oh, what the heck it is?
Sandy
Guest
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sack-Mickey-Arthur/305217346272907?ref=stream
barry
Guest
Arthur and clarke have said professionalism and attitued has been poor on this tour and this is the stance they felt they needed to take and good on them for it. Shame all the other nuffies don't see it that way
barry
Guest
exactly. The way watsons reacted i can't belive people are sticking up for him, he's acting like a child. You do what your bosss says end of story. IF Wayne Bennet did this with the knights everyone would be saying 'good on you wayne for putting the line in the sand and trying to change a fading culture'. Because its some south african peoples perceptions automatically change and they look at it from the most naive arrogant negative way possible.
barry
Guest
Lehman said he wasn't ready. And judging by watsons antics saying 'he's now weighing up options on wheather he wants to keep playing' shows he's just having a whinge and doesn't like it when things don't go his way. Plus moody lehman etc have nothing to do with what i said as i was refereeing to old mate saying flower and buchanen wouldn't do this when he quite clearly would have no idea if they would or not. The fact arthur and clarke have come out and said players aren't pulling there weight (results showing that) means they've TAKEN ACTION!. Something you were all whinging about CA not doing after the hydrebad show. They're obviously saying nothing but 100% commitment and attitude will suffice no matter how good you are. Postecoglou has doen the same in the aleague and he seems to have some success
WhatUsername
Roar Rookie
... Is this nightmare over yet?
Gilbert
Guest
Ask her to fill in a performance review and submit it in five days.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
That would depend on the series score at the time!
matt h
Guest
Two issues for mine that have not been adequately addressed: 1. I think the fact that Micky Arthur and Michael Clarke are selectors may be destabilising the team. How wholeheartedly are players going to participate in truth sessions or critiquing themselves to the very ones who have control over their futures? Is Hughes for example going to admit to the selectors that he is out of his depth and needs help? This structure does work to bring solidarity and honesty into the team environment, particularly in challenging times. 2. Correct me if I'm wrong but are Watson and Johnson the last of Ponting's special boys? I'm sure Ponting's strong support was part of the reasons that Watson alsways walked straight back in after injury and Johnsons continued to get picked. And we know 100% that Symonds was Ponting's boy. So is there a pattern here fo Clarke and maybe Arthurs consolidating their authority by clearing out the previous culture? Not sure and not sure where Katich fitted into that dynamic. I cannot recall a period since Kim Hughes where the captain has been in conflict with so many of his senior players ...
Renegade
Guest
Yeah i'm Gen Y and what's your point??? From what's been said.....it didn't have to be in written format. I just find that this being placed on Arthur and Clarke who are actually trying to get the team out of it's slump (regardless of the method) as a bit harsh.....players had 5 days to give 3 dot points. It should take them no more than 5 minutes. I'm in a management position and this is a method i often use. It allows the person with the issue to buy into the solution because they are the ones who have suggested it. As i've said, i believe that anyone associated to Cricket Australia in any form is on a hiding to nothing no matter what they do.
Ratheesh
Guest
sounds to me more like the case of players not cherishing the baggy green cap they own and being too lazy.. may be this is what happens when the players don’t “earn” their place in the test team. very unAustralian like… this is why I respect the Aus cricket a lot. discipline first. if whatever is being reported are true, then i m just happy that Aus cricket still cares a lot about discipline and no compromise is made there.
Red Kev
Guest
I don't see why not - I wouldn't want to play for Arthur either. Maybe if Lehmann is given the T20 and ODI coaching roles we can have Watson still play in the formats he does best.
Sal
Guest
Would be interesting to learn 1. Mickey's response to three ways in which he can improve his team management better. 2. Reasons for which the four didn't comply. 3. Survey response from the team about their homework experience.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Yep, Khawaja seems to be the odd one out in that respect. Interestingly Michael Clarke has now written in his column that this was the last straw that broke the camel's back - meaning there were previous incidents that put the side down earlier. So again this is a strange way that communication has happened with the coach not referring to any previous misdemeanours and the captain clearly pointing pointing out that there were problems prior to this. Here's what Clarke's got to say: "A lot of people saying that (they have been too harsh) don't know the full story and hopefully by me giving them more information they will understand this. It's not just about one incident, there's been a number of things where we haven't been giving ourselves every single opportunity to be the best individual players we can be." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/australian-test-captain-michael-clarke-says-four-axed-players-accepted-their-punishment/story-e6frfg8o-1226595143005
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
Australia had Steve Waugh and then Ricky Ponting as one of their best leaders in modern cricket. Though, Clarke is one of the best batsman, i have always raised questions about his captaincy.Had Waugh or Punter been the captain, Arthur would have never dared to make such a move.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
This is the last thing which India needed to confirm that Australia will lose the series 0-4. The visitors are already 0-2 down and with such a shameful act by Arthur, there will be smiles all around the faces of Indian team. I don't see this youth oz side doing any damage in England this summer.
Ratheesh
Guest
completely agree.. sounds to me more like the case of the players not cherishing the baggy green cap they own and being too lazy.. may be this is what happens when the players don't "earn" their place in the test team. very unAustralian like... this is why I respect the Aus cricket a lot. discipline first. if whatever is being reported are true, then i m just happy that Aus cricket still cares a lot about discipline and no compromise is made there.
Sydney Kiwi
Guest
I told my wife who hates cricket and doesn't follow it. I said 4 players in the Australian team had been stood down from the next game for disciplinary action. I asked her what she thought the incident was. She replied drinking/fighting? I said because they didn't finish writing the 3 things to improve before next test. She said, "What???? They are missing an INTERNATIONAL GAME for that????" So even someone with no idea has more of a clue than the coach of the national side.
TENASH
Guest
someone PLEASE e-mail this to Cricket Australia and also please give this piece of ART an Oscar or whatever its comedy equivalent is !!!
Lroy
Guest
Mate... me too.. I tracked it down after Sheek made the suggestion... I havent laughed that hard for a long time ;-)