Australian captain Michael Clarke, speaking to the Australian media late on Monday, suggested that the failure to comply with the coach's directive to offer inputs on self-improvement may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the decision to exclude Shane Watson, Pattinson, Khawaja and Johnson.
"No doubt it's been a tough day," Clarke said, before adding, "I want the public and media to understand, don't get me wrong, it's not just about one incident.
"Our performances have been unacceptable and there has been some stuff off the field that has been unacceptable for the standards an Australian cricket team needs to present itself to achieve what we are trying to achieve. I know it is a tough day, a really tough day and it's a tough decision, but at the end of the day if people are not hitting those standards there are going to be consequences," he specified.
The Aussie skipper though did not specify what other standards were not met, but mentioned that a series of minor violations had precipitated the development and an example had to be made.
"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, one of the few bright spots in the Australian team, during what has comfortably been a miserable last couple of weeks for the visitors, also stressed what the preparation was for Mohali.
"Our head coach gave us two days off after the second Test. It was about freshening yourself up, getting your rehab done, your recovery, do what you have to do, get everything right for the next two Tests, because the next two Tests are as big as you might have in your career and you have an opportunity to turn this series around.
"We were asked to do one thing from the head coach. It was giving information back about not only improving your game but also how can you help this team turn things around and have success."
Clarke also seemed at pains to understand why the task was perceived to be so difficult or trivial to be ignored by cricketers like Watson and Johnson, both of whom are seniors in the team.
"It was a simple task. Yes, it took a lot of thinking because you had to look at your game and where you thought you could improve, what you had learnt and what you could do to help this team level this series. "In my opinion, for the four players to not do it, not only does it let the team down, it also shows a lack of respect for the head coach and in the Australian cricket team that is unacceptable."
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