When Australia’s cricketers conquered adversity to beat Pakistan in extreme conditions in Sharjah last year, they said it felt like the dawn of a bright new era. A dark new gloom, more like.
Homeworkgate, March Sir, the dog ate my Ashes chances. Shane Watson, the vice-captain, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson and Usman Khawaja were all stood down from an already beleaguered side for failing to offer even a short review, after the second Test defeat, on why all the woes were happening on tour in India.
Stand up, stand down, March After being stood down for failing to do his homework, Watson flew home to Australia for the birth of his child. He came back to be installed as captain, oversaw the fourth defeat of a whitewash, then resigned as vice-captain. Are you keeping up?
Twitter shame, May If late homework was a sign of growing player indiscipline, an expletive-laden tirade from David Warner against two respected Australian cricket journalists was more like outright anarchy. The rambunctious opener's itchy Twitter fingers cost him a fine of A$5,600 (Dh19,000).
Warner vs Root, two weeks ago Observers reckon cricketers are spoilt by the riches in the Twenty20 game, but at least Warner keeps giving back. This time his fine was A$11,500 after he took a swipe at England's Joe Root. Appropriately, his punch only clipped Root's chin.
Arthur axed, yesterday First he lost control, then the plot, then his job. "We have the best bowling attack in the world." So said Mickey Arthur last week after elimination from the Champions Trophy, while trying to put a brave face on the gloom. If ever there was a sign that someone had lost their marbles, this was it. Then he was gone.