The Australian cricket team, which is already trailing 2-0 in the four-match test series against India, plunged into a deep crisis, as four players, including Shane Watson and James Pattinson were dropped from the team on disciplinary ground. Watson even returned to Australia after being dropped.
Apart from Vice Captain Shane Watson and James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khwaja were also dropped for the third Test. The decision to drop them was taken after they failed to make a presentation in a team meeting and snubbed the team management.
With Matthew Wade getting injured, Australia now have 12 players to choose from in the third Test match in Mohali on Thursday. Brad Haddin will join the team as a replacement for Matthew Wade. A replacement for Shane Watson could be sent by Cricket Australia.
Australian coach Mickey Arthur cracked the whip today. The decision to drop four players just because they failed to make a presentation, has evoked sharp reactions from senior cricketers on Twitter.
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Darren Lehmann: Adults we are , not schoolboys! Please let’s act properly and make good decisions in India! Need these boys playing.
Mark Waugh: “I’ve never heard anything so stupid in all my life. It’s not under-6s, this is Test cricket.
Dean Jones: Implications from these actions are serious.. I feel it is deeper than it appears. Aust are in trouble!!
Harsha Bhogle: staggered by intensity of decision to leave out 4 players for not submitting feedback forms. were they aware of possible punishment?
Michael Vaughan: What is going on with Aussie Cricket?? Didn’t realise you had to do a Essay to get a selection these days..!!!!!