However, the Aussies are hell bent on digging their own grave here. In an unprecedented move, the Australian team management axed vice-captain Shane Watson, pacers James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and batsman Usman Khawaja for failing to make a presentation on how to improve their personal as well as the team's performance after the innings and 135 runs defeat in the second Test in Hyderabad.
"That's a line-in-the-sand moment. We have given these guys absolute clarity," Australia coach Mickey Arthur said while making the announcement at a press conference.
"After Hyderabad the whole team was really hurting, we were discussing ways of getting back into the series. We were particularly aware of where we were as a team and how we were going to get back. I asked the players at the end of the game to give me an individual presentation. I wanted three points from each of them technically, mentally and as a team, how we were going to get back over the next couple of games, how we were going to get ourselves back into the series," said Arthur.
The Aussie coach made it clear that the dropped players failed to meet the deadline and it was important to maintain team discipline by punishing them.
"Unfortunately four players didn't comply with that. We pride ourselves on attitude. We have given the players a huge amount of latitude to get culture and attitude right," Arthur said. "We believe that those behaviours with what we want to do with this team, how we want to take this team to be the best in the world, teams that are the best in the world have best attitudes and best behaviour patterns and a good, hard, ruthless culture. I believe those four players unfortunately did not meet my requirements so those four are not available for selection for this Test match," he added.
According to coach Arthur even skipper Michael Clarke feels that it was time to crack the whip in what has been a thoroughly disappointing series for the team.
"Myself and Pup (Clarke) came to the conclusion that we have been so focused on winning cricket games that maybe some people have been cutting corners. Perhaps there have been some soft options taken. We decided that we needed to really get that in line," Arthur said.
The stunning turn of events leaves Australia with just 13 players to choose from for the third Test, which starts here on Thursday. However, the coach made it clear that the four players would be available for the fourth Test in Delhi.
Infuriated Watson heads back home
Meanwhile, an angry Shane Watson left for home on Monday to be with his pregnant wife Lee Furlong. At the team hotel, when the Australian team headed for the PCA stadium for their scheduled practice session, an infuriated Watson, walked out of the team hotel.
The Aussie allrounder's wife is expecting a baby by the end of the month.
His sudden departure raised speculation of a revolt within the team. However, Cricket Australia (CA) denied that Watson's departure was a result of the axe that was wielded on him. "He has not left in a huff, his wife is expecting. And that is why he has left for Australia to be by her side.
The two things (returning to Australia and being dropped from the team) should not be linked," Australian team's media manager Matt Cenin said.
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