Was the Australian cricket team management’s decision to suspend four players for failing to complete their ‘homework’ task the correct one? They were asked to write notes on three areas of possible improvement following their defeat by India in the second test at Hyderabad, and four players failed to comply:
Australia’s tour of India went into crisis mode on Monday with the team management axeing four players, including vice-captain Shane Watson, from the third Test in Mohali for ignoring team orders following the defeat in Hyderabad. The other players are James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja. Hours after that announcement by the coach Mickey Arthur came news that Watson was heading home, though Cricket Australia insisted it was connected with the birth of his first child.
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The players were informed of the task on Tuesday night and were asked to ensure it was done by Saturday evening. Every other player completed the requirements, either by emailing or texting Arthur their points or by slipping a note under his door. However, as of Monday morning the four players had neglected to comply. Arthur, captain Michael Clarke and team manager Gavin Dovey met and discussed how to handle the situation and decided that it needed to be a “line-in-the-sand moment”.
Although management is sticking firmly by its decision, others consider this a ‘ridiculous over-reaction and a case of sporting micro-managerialism gone mad.’
