The shenanigans in the Australian dressing room feel wrong on so many levels.
First up, I do believe Mickey Arthur and Michael Clarke have been badly let down by the four players who failed to do their homework. It’s lazy and disrespectful of them not to respond to a simple task on a tough tour.
Second, I find it hard to understand why Shane Watson, the vice-captain, isn’t on the management team.
Tough stance: Australian coach Mickey Arthur dropped four players
The whole structure seems wrong. When I was captain, we made sure people felt involved in big decisions — especially the No 2.
It also tells me a lot about team spirit. Forget all this rubbish about clapping your team-mates on the balcony for the benefit of the TV cameras. Team spirit should have been someone asking Watson or the other three whether they’d done their feedback — and if not, why not?
No show: Shane Watson along with James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja have all been dropped from the third Test against IndiaHaving said all that, I do feel the decision to drop the players is just too harsh. This just feels like shooting yourself in the foot.
These four guys are never going to forget this. And when they’re in a tight spot in the Ashes later this year, they may just ask themselves who it is they want to perform for.
More... Aussies at war: Four axed for showing disrespect to coaches Aussies in turmoil ahead of Ashes as ruthless coach Arthur axes FOUR stars in India for failing to give a presentation, captain Clarke rounds on rebel quartet and Watson could quit cricket after flying home Lawrence Booth: The once-feared boys in Baggy Green are a laughing stock after farce in India The Aussies are 2-0 down with two to play, have axed a third of their side for not doing their 'homework' and up next it's England... Dear, oh dear, cobbers, you are USELESS!
