Mohali: Riven by dissensions, a depleted Australian cricket team was preparing hard, on Tuesday, for the third Test against India starting Thursday even as Shane Watson and fast bowler James Pattinson admitted their mistakes that led to their sacking from the match along with two other players.
Watson, who returned to Sydney after abruptly leaving the tour, said that it was wrong on its part not to submit the presentation to the coach while a repentant Pattinson felt that he deserved the punishment, raising speculation that he could be pardoned on the eve of the Test match.
The Australian team went through business as usual with a gruelling practice session at the PCA stadium.
“I accept that I did the wrong thing with what I did, but I will always find it very hard to accept being suspended from a Test match for my country,” Watson told the reporters at the Sydney airport.
Watson and three of his colleagues – pacemen James Pattinson and Mitchell Johnson, and batsman Usman Khawaja – were axed from the team for the third Test for ignoring a team management order.
The four players were dropped for failing to make a presentation on how to improve their personal as well as the team’s performance after the defeat in the second Test in Hyderabad.
“I, with a few other guys, took it as leading into the Test match and I got that extremely wrong, which meant that it’s cost me a Test match. They (the leadership group) obviously thought that was the right decision for the team at this point in time,” a devastated Watson said.
“I’ve missed Test matches and games through injury throughout my career. I feel like I’ve worked my absolute bum off to have an opportunity to represent my country. When that’s taken away from you, you think the actions must be very severe. That’s where we differ on our opinions.
“I think it’s extremely harsh. I expressed my extreme disappointment with the punishment. But everything happens for a reason in your life,” said the 31-year-old all-rounder.
Pattinson said he deserved axing from the side for his disrespect and those who are criticising the decision do not understand the new culture the team is trying to build.
“It shows a lack of respect to the coach, the captain as well, and the rest of the team. I know if I was in their position, as a team member, I’d be quite disappointed in them for being a bit selfish,” he said.
“People talk about it as a harsh punishment but looking deeply into it you realise probably it’s not. If you want to be part of the Australian cricket team you have to do everything right. It’s not acceptable. I believe it’s the right punishment,” the tall paceman added.
Australian captain Michael Clarke said unavailability of four players will be a good opportunity for others to prove their worth.
“It has huge impact on the team for the third Test match. But it’s why you pick a squad. It gives somebody else an opportunity. And that’s the biggest risk in this game. You give somebody else an opportunity and you might never get another chance,” he said.
Clarke said he has no doubt about Watson’s abilities and he was sure that he will comeback to the side as his deputy.
“A lot of people will ask about Shane Watson and the vice-captaincy. I absolutely believe he can bounce back from this and be the Australian vice-captain again.
“Watto is one of the best players in the world when he is at the top of his game. We didn’t consider the names of the individuals when arriving at this decision but made a call in the best interests of the team,” he said.
Cricket Australia put its weight behind the manage-ment, which is struggling to put together a team for the third Test with just 13 players to choose from.
“We had a discussion so we could be fully updated on the issues surrounding this event and allow board members to ask questions of the management. The board is completely supportive of the actions taken by team management,” CA Chairman Wally Edwards said in a statement.
Clarke, meanwhile, continued to talk tough and said disciplinary breaches could not be tolerated, while maintaining that he had the respect of the players who have been suspended.
“I don’t think it will have any impact on my friendship with the four guys because I know I’ve got the respect of those guys and they know how much I respect them,” he said.
The episode has evoked mixed reactions in the Australian media, though some former players were sharply critical of the move, describing it as “ridiculous” and “absolute joke”. (PTI)
