Australian players face media fury in the wake of debacle
A livid Australian media labelled their side as “worst” in 34 years and ridiculed the shot selection of their top order batsmen to “insanity” after India inflicted a humiliating 4-0 whitewash on the visitors.
“IT’s official. Australian cricket’s class of 2013 are the worst to tour India ... And the nation’s worst Test outfit in 34 years. That is the macabre reputation Michael Clarke’s battered troops will bring home,” a write-up in the Telegraph read.
‘Herald Sun’ was more harsh in chiding the batsmen. “THEY say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Unless Australia’s batsmen change something - starting today - they might wake up in a mental ward before the Ashes.”
“The real concern ahead of the Ashes is not so much the batting averages in India, but the wider mentality that governs the decisions, and mistakes, Australia’s batsmen are making,” the report added.
The Australian sports writers came down heavily on the top-order and stand-in captain Shane Watson was hit hardest. “The struggling all-rounder can no longer be a selection untouchable after his form slump yesterday hit crisis point during Australia’s latest batting collapse.
“...If any player should forensically analyse their form on this shambolic tour, it is Watson,” wrote Telegraph.
“With Michael Clarke, he arrived as Australia’s most seasoned player. He returns home as the only specialist batsman in the series not to post a fifty. Even tail-enders Siddle (51 and 50) and Mitchell Starc (99) managed half-centuries on this tour.
“In the ultimate indictment, No.11 Nathan Lyon (244 balls) managed to survive more deliveries on this tour than Watson (239). Lyon (18) also finished with a superior batting average to Watson (16.5),” the critical piece added.
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