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[400notout]

They've been asked to do something - clearly haven't, I don't see why it's a problem, it's harsh no doubt. But if you don't pay your taxes/bills etc you take the consequences. Coach/Captain must show that discipline is the key to good cricket.

Bloomin awful they've brought in Haddin over Hartley....unbelievable.

And chances are they are going to go back to Steve Smith, who's bowled 90 balls all summer. Fantastic.

Clarke has stated in an interview it's about more than this specifically, which doesn't surprise me. But I did hear a rumour (on here possibly) that saying too much (Steve O'Keefe) was worse than not saying enough in Clarkes eyes.

It's an Ashes conspiracy

[DiscoStu]

I'm just wondering why the story came out. You could send Watson home because of the imminent birth of his child, bring in a replacement and nobody would bat an eyelid. Keep Khawaja an Johnson out and say Pattinson has a strain or something. It all just seems like they are airing their dirty laundry in public and this is not going to be the last we hear about it.
They have 2 tests in India, then IPL, then Champions Trophy and then the Ashes. They are leaving it very late to get a line-up together for England.

[400notout]

I agree, the situation could have been dealt with internally. But I feel Watson is loud and arrogant enough that it would have gotten out anyway!

I do think it's a sign of Clarke making an example and flexing his muscles. And to be honest,he's produced the results that arguably allow him to do so. No one really in that 4 (bar Pattinson) had reason to argue back really!

[alba caerulea]

Khawaja hasnt played in either thrashing, but has been asked how he could improve

I'd tell the coach/captain where to go, at least let a guy fail before he is interrogated about his skills

It's the selectors that should be questioned and sacked - Glen Maxwell, Phillip Hughes and Steven Smith, deary me how the mighty have fallen

[Vitas Cricket]

England camp must be sat there with grins like Cheshire cats.

I don't agree with everything Warne has been saying about Cricket Australia, but the things he has been proposing are a damn sight more sensible than this shambles.

To quote Bumble: '10 Nil! 10 Nil!'

[The_Bird]

Watson talking like he's going to call it a day in cricket for Australia, he says there are more important things in life than cricket. What he means is I'd like to play IPL and earn some big bucks please.

[iand123]

Watson talking like he's going to call it a day in cricket for Australia, he says there are more important things in life than cricket. What he means is I'd like to play IPL and earn some big bucks please.

I suspect this is part of it but he's got a kid on the way which can change your perspective massively. Also being dropped for not doing a presentation would question whether you want to be involved IMO

[charlie15]

Can you imagine asking the likes of Lillee, Marsh, Thomson, Boon, Merv et al to do a powerpoint presentation.  You'd end up with the computer up your a*** sideways!

[Buzz]

they were only asked to go to the coach and say 3 things about how they and the team could improve, it didn't have to be a ppt or an essay.

Times have changed since the likes of Lillee, Marsh etc - these guys are all given significant sports science training and expected to perform to measured levels, it isn't an amature joke.

Dropping them must be harsh, but the delivery of what was expected was not exactly taxing and they had 3 days to do it. If you can't do a simple task, how are you expected to perform under pressure.

Clive Woodward did similar things, just not so publically

[alba caerulea]

It just looks like mollycodling. The Moores/Pietersen fiasco was blamed on over zealous coaching methods, this looks similar to me

My opinion is that it's not the players job to think of ways to improve the team. This is elite cricket and there is a whole coaching structure behind this Australian team. Let the players do what they do best which is play, these are not children, they know their own games

Obviously if people had parts of their game they want to work on you'd expect them to be working on that or mentioning it to their coaches anyway. I expect most of us on here do that, I certainly do

I am speaking from a players perspective, I'm sure the coaches on here will have a different opinion

What I will say to that Buzz is that rugby is much more a team sport, a team spirit and feeling of togetherness is essential in rugby. If you do not do your job properly in a rugby match one of your team-mates is going to get hurt

Although cricket is technically a team sport in reality it is batsman v bowler. You don't do your job in cricket it's only you who looks stupid (most of the time). The players must take responsibility for their OWN games not the whole team

[tim2000s]

The players must take responsibility for their OWN games not the whole team

Each player should take responsibility for both of these things. Every player should not only be looking after their own game but also encouraging other members of the team in their games. Each player is responsible for the team, otherwise the team does not exist. I am speaking from a player's position not a coach.

[alba caerulea]

I would say that if each player is responsible for their own game the team looks after itself

[ProCricketer1982]

I'm with Tim on this one. I think it's a players responsibility for their own performances etc BUT, it's also down to each player to take an active part within a team unit. Otherwise it's not a team!! Just a collection of people playing together which will only mean it's a hit and miss side. Oh and less fun to play against and for!!

[alba caerulea]

I've just read the 2nd article on cricinfo, seems like these 4 have been guilty of more than one offence previously which makes a bit more sense than just being sent home for this

I'm with Tim on this one. I think it's a players responsibility for their own performances etc BUT, it's also down to each player to take an active part within a team unit. Otherwise it's not a team!! Just a collection of people playing together which will only mean it's a hit and miss side. Oh and less fun to play against and for!!

Fair enough point above but as grown men who have reached the elite form of a sport you'd think they know what is best for their own game/body. Watson has been around quite a while as has Johnson. They have paid the price now anyway

[fros23]

I've just read the 2nd article on cricinfo, seems like these 4 have been guilty of more than one offence previously which makes a bit more sense than just being sent home for this

Fair enough point above but as grown men who have reached the elite form of a sport you'd think they know what is best for their own game/body. Watson has been around quite a while as has Johnson. They have paid the price now anyway

You would think if they knew what was best for their own game then Watson would have managed more than 2 test hundreds by now and Johnson would know how to bowl well more than once a series!  Or maybe that is the best they can actually do?