Watson, Pattinson among four axed for third Test

firstlane · #1 March 11, 2013, 04:17 AM

I thought this news deserved its own thread. I have never heard something like this before. Grown up cricketers thrown out of the team for not doing homework! It can't get more amusing then that.

Watson, Pattinson among four axed for third Test
Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja will not be considered for Australia's third Test against India in Mohali after ignoring team orders following the crushing innings defeat in Hyderabad. After the loss inside three and a half days, the coach Mickey Arthur asked every member of the squad to let him know three points on how their individual performances and those of the team could be improved.

The players were informed of the task on Tuesday night and were asked to ensure it was done by Saturday evening. Every other player completed the requirements, either by emailing or texting Arthur their points or by slipping a note under his door. However, as of Monday morning the four players, including the vice-captain Watson, had neglected to comply. Arthur, captain Michael Clarke and team manager Gavin Dovey met and discussed how to handle the situation and decided that it needed to be a "line-in-the-sand moment".

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-...ry/624494.html

jeesh · #2 March 11, 2013, 04:36 AM

Diverting attention from heavy losses to discipline?

What good is it going to do!

Naimul_Hd · #3 March 11, 2013, 04:37 AM

Very strict punishment for my liking. This decision will only help India to get another innings win. Those players could have given warning before axing them from the team.

Internal conflict in the team ? Clark vs Watson may be ?

Well, this what the coach had to say in press conference !

http://www.cricket.com.au/video/Mick...a---March-11th

Maysun · #4 March 11, 2013, 04:42 AM

Well, I think I am on board with the management.

Gowza · #5 March 11, 2013, 08:38 AM

the players should have done what was asked but at the same time a harsh punishment. team will lose out with no pattinson.

MohammedC · #6 March 11, 2013, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naimul_Hd
Very strict punishment for my liking.

Internal conflict in the team ? Clark vs Watson may be ?

If there is slight possibility then I wonder what would Mr Katich say

Ashfaq · #7 March 11, 2013, 08:58 AM

ROFL. Is Powerpoint presentation ever supposed to be a cricketers strong suit?

Jadukor · #8 March 11, 2013, 10:17 AM

Micky Arthur turning into the next J. Buchanon

Nadim · #9 March 11, 2013, 10:22 AM

Watson may retire from test...

simon · #10 March 11, 2013, 10:25 AM

lol, and we always blamed our boys for not being as professional as the Aussie.
This is what happens when u start getting the taste of defeat,
ekhon bujho thela...

*AsifTheManRahman* · #11 March 11, 2013, 11:37 AM

Looks like there may have been more to it than what meets the naked eye:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-...ry/624571.html

Also, liked the following bit:

Quote:

"We can't accept mediocrity here. This is the Australian cricket team. Maybe I am biased [but] there is a big difference between this team and other cricket teams. If you play for Australia there is a lot that comes with that and standards, discipline, culture that is all a big part of what we are talking about here."

Clarke I'm sure is an able leader and deserves better from his players.

Maysun · #12 March 11, 2013, 11:56 AM

Eng : text and get into troubleAus : don't text and get into troubleAshes - to text or not to text!
— Sundar Raman (@ramansundar) March 11, 2013

Leafs PWN · #13 March 11, 2013, 03:18 PM

Harsh, but at the same time, it was a very simple task.

Gowza · #14 March 11, 2013, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AsifTheManRahman
Looks like there may have been more to it than what meets the naked eye:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-...ry/624571.html

Also, liked the following bit:

Clarke I'm sure is an able leader and deserves better from his players.

the problem for clarke is that he's now in the prime of his career and the leader of the team. but the team he is leading is in transition and struggling to find it's feet, at least consistently. but i feel clarke needs to open his eye's a bit, nothing wrong with expecting the best but he has to remember the aussie team he first played in was far different from this one. when he debuted he was playing with a team of greats, currently no one in the aussie team bar possibly himself are anywhere near greats of the game. aussie cricket is in a different place.

Tintin · #15 March 11, 2013, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashfaq
ROFL. Is Powerpoint presentation ever supposed to be a cricketers strong suit?

In the Steve Waugh days, all players had to write poems and read it infront of the team on some occasions. Some of those criticising Arthur, like Damien Martyn, would have written poetry in his time.

Jadukor · #16 March 11, 2013, 08:10 PM

Cricketers are there to play the game. It's the coach's job to identify the mistakes made and and guide them towards success. Not everyone can articulate their thoughts in writing and the dressing room is not an MBA class room. Two of the players didn't even play the two tests... what the hell are they supposed to reflect on? Arthur himself said Watson is very professional in the way he prepares before a match. So overall this whole axing episode was a dumb move imo and it will negatively affect the whole team.

firstlane · #17 March 11, 2013, 08:31 PM

I find this extremely harsh. Taking away some portion of match fees of players would have been more than suffice. By doing this the management once again made it clear that they don't care about winning against anyone except England. All four were in strong contention of playing the next match. This is not as severe as the case of Andrew Symonds' was. No one turned up being drunk here. Australian team management have always been way too strict. Around the same time of Andrew Symonds' incident Andrew Flintoff did his famous 'Fredalo' episode as well but nothing happened to him. Shane Warne has raised his voice about this few times. One headmaster to another- from Buchanon to Inverarity and now Micky Arthur. I think we will see people like Darren Lehman in charge sooner than later if this type of circus continues to happen. Here is an interesting comment from someone at cricinfo:

Posted by grahaam on (March 11, 2013, 18:55 GMT)
Micky Arthur and Australia was never going to work , any one who has been schooled in Southern Africa will realise that the discipline there is proper, this will clash strongly with an Australian relaxed attitude, an Australian coach will soon be in place and Arthur will return to South Africa a wealthy man but average coach, lacking in man management skills and individual character appreciation.

Tintin · #18 March 11, 2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AsifTheManRahman
Looks like there may have been more to it than what meets the naked eye:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-...ry/624571.html

Also, liked the following bit:

Clarke I'm sure is an able leader and deserves better from his players.

I can sympathise with Clarke-Arthur's position. People who have worked in jobs where teamwork is important would be probably be familiar with people who spread negativity and try to gradually undermine the authority. Any single indiscretion that do won't appear serious, so it would be difficult to punish them. They are often productive as individuals but the contribution to the team as a whole would be negative.

Jadukor · #19 March 11, 2013, 10:05 PM

Micky Arthur should coach Pakistan. There wouldn't be anyone left in the squad beside himself.

jeesh · #20 March 11, 2013, 10:12 PM

Perhaps its time for Australia to get a strong personality in charge of the team. Darren Lehmann or Tom Moody might be able to turn it around for them.

NoName · #21 March 11, 2013, 11:28 PM

Imagine what our players would write

firstlane · #22 March 12, 2013, 12:01 AM

There may be more to the story. Here whats Clarke said,"It's a lot bigger than that. There have been a number of things on this tour that have not been up to the standard that we would have liked as the Australian Cricket Team, hence our performance." http://www.cricket.com.au/news-list/...backs-decision
Its making sense now. Omitting from the team for not providing feedback looked a bit over the top.

ahnaf · #23 March 12, 2013, 01:50 AM

ajaira kahini.. team managment er matha geche

BengaliPagol · #24 March 12, 2013, 05:20 AM

Australia just lost their pace attack.

Tiger444 · #25 March 12, 2013, 08:14 PM

Its been a rough tour so far for the Aussies. Has to be a lot of events that made them eventually tick. And if its supported by Clarke then there must be some problems. I think having Watson out could be a blessing in discuise. Time for him to go in Tests. Hes just not doing good enough and needs a break. Khawaja needs a run in his place after his suspension is over