Josh Hazlewood slammed for verbals after hitting Pujara in the head

Yes that's why I posted that clip.. I mean Steve in particular really got peppered... And he was on 95 n.o so a real pain to the SA team.. It was hard and unforgiving cricket but the mutual respect always present..

So much for a culture change under Langer and Paine :stoked: Bollocks!

Allan Donald was an incredible fast-bowler wasn’t he ???? Although I don’t recall him ever sledging an opponent after hitting them on their head. And Steve Waugh was a warrior (a “Waughrior”?) – much like Pujara. Not sure Mark was ever in Steve’s league to be honest!

Plan "D" is to roll over and die, obviously.

Completely agree with you, Soap. I continue to remain a massive well-wisher of Australian cricket and I’ve always appreciated the talent and performances that have emerged from Australia over the years – but it has been somewhat difficult to actually like a number of Australian cricketers, despite their on-field accomplishments, largely because of their confrontational behaviour. You’re completely right about a segment of Australian fans, unfortunately, being quite accepting of such antagonistic behaviour. I suspect that such tolerance stems from the normalisation of cultural features that support toxically-masculine behaviour in certain activities – sports being one. Looking to counter someone by referring to them as a “sook” might be an example of one such cultural feature. Regarding Rahane’s gesture – I thought it was classy and respectful. Learning to respect your opponent goes a long way towards learning to respect your sport.

While I agree that Jofra should've checked on Steve Smith's wellbeing on that occasion, it needs to be noted that Archer at the very least chose not to sledge Smith. Hazlewood, on the other hand, sledged Pujara - almost as if he was taking pleasure in hurting him. I see a clear difference between the two incidents.

WillowWiz, your comment to "Who cares what an Indian batsman thinks?" hits the nail on the head. For as long as anyone can remember, Australian cricket teams have behaved in an unsavoury fashion on the field and, for the most part (acknowledging Paine's recent apology after Sydney, for which he deserves at least some credit) they cannot comprehend that there is anything wrong with their approach. There are also many Australian supporters who could not care less what the rest of the world thinks about the Australian cricket team and its behaviour. But, like it or not, the rest of the world exists and it will continue to judge Australian teams harshly, and even rejoice in Australian defeats such as the one we saw at The 'Gabba, for so long as Australian cricketers continue to behave in this way. At the end of that test match we saw a wonderful gesture from the Indian team in handing over a signed shirt to congratulate Nathan Lyon on his 100th test. What a remarkable contrast to the behaviour of their ungracious hosts. Things like this are noticed around the world too.

https://youtu.be/CGBS-HwG55s

I think you have your plans mixed up. If they actually deployed plan A, they would have won. They stuck to plans B and C only, which would indicate that Plan A, was in fact plan C...

Plan “A”. Bowl them out. Plan “B”. Bounce them out. Plan “C”. Sledge them out. What’s Plan “D”, Justin?

Willow I assume you were also this harsh on Archer after he concussed Smith and went straight back to his mark without checking on his wellbeing? Or is this just another case where the Aussie's get judged differently for doing the same things that all other cricketing nations do?

Pujara getting peppered: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ4qczJwdU8

Pujara’s an absolute warrior. I recall Steve Waugh taking on a similar barrage from the West Indian quicks in the mid-90s. Like Pujara, Waugh Sr. was never a hooker and he relied on wearing body-blows on his way to gradually wearing the opposition out. What an irony that an Australian bowling side has now been at the receiving end of similar treatment by a Indian batsman! Very poor form there by Hazlewood. He should’ve inquired if Pujara was alright. He instead chose to sledge him. It was not that long ago that the Phil Hughes tragedy occurred in Australia. Surely we can’t all have forgotten about it and moved on already?

Still a team of ugly bullies and this clearly proves it! Not everyone in that side is as nice as Cummins - a massive crying shame!

The rest of the world (including many Australians). Clearly there has been no cultural change in ‘Strayan cricket. Once a bully, always a bully. I’m glad Pujara shut Hazlewood’s trap the way a true professional ought to – with his actions.

Didnt take long for people to forget a guy called Hughes did it...

When did Australia turn into a nation of sooks? Who cares what an Indian batsman thinks.

Big deal.

When watching live Warne on commentary said Hazlewood was checking up Pujara...but obviously this proves he wasn't. When sledges backfire this is what they resort to. Oh well, see you at Gabba mate!

Yawn..