'Ruthless' Clarke says homework issue not solely responsible for sacking of four Oz players
Sydney, Mar 12 : Australian captain Michael Clarke has said that he will not stand for mediocrity from any of his players, adding the sacking of four players from the squad for disciplinary breach for the third Test against India in Mohali was a result of more than one incident.
Vice captain Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson and Usman Khawaja were removed from the Mohali Test for a disciplinary breach following which Watson left the Test series and returned home to Australia, News.com.au reports.
Clarke said that he did not dismiss the players over the fact that they did not 'do their homework', adding that there were a number of things which had led up to the decision.
Clarke, who has been criticised along with coach Mickey Arthur for a perceived heavy-handed approach over the quartet's failure to submit a personal review of the team's performances in India, said that he did not regret his decision, adding that the stance was a result of a series of minor breaches by the four players.
Stating that he won't accept mediocrity from his players, the captain said that he may seem biased but there is a big difference between the Australian cricket team and other teams, adding that the culture, standards and discipline of his team are a tad above the other teams.
Clarke said that although his team sets a high standard, he has been mild until now with the players despite their repeated minor breaches as they have lost a couple of senior players.
Stating that he did not want a third ranking for his team, Clarke said that although the dumped players were disappointed, they had accepted the decision, adding that there is no harsher punishment for a player than missing a game, especially a Test match, in a situation when the team is 2-0 down in the series.