Ex-Aussie Cricket star Steve O’Keefe has lashed again at criticism levelled at Pat Cummins’ facet following their 295-run defeat by India.
The previous Sydney Sixers spinner slammed the flack the Take a look at facet has acquired following the primary Take a look at as ‘tall poppy syndrome’, including that it was additionally ‘unjustified’.
Cummins and Andrew McDonald have each hinted that it’s ‘unlikely’ that modifications will likely be made to the squad forward of subsequent week’s assembly in Adelaide.
However questions have been requested on the credentials of a number of Aussie stars, together with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, after the pair underwhelmed in Perth.
‘It frustrates me … I feel the pile-on is unjustified,’ O’Keefe informed SEN Radio.
‘I feel the pile-on is simply indicative of lots of people wanting to come back out, tall poppy syndrome in Australia, and latch onto this group.
Former Australia cricketer Steve O’Keefe has hit again at critics of Pat Cummins’ facet following their defeat by India
Australia have been slammed for his or her efficiency throughout their 295-run loss towards India in Perth
Marnus Labuschagne’s current kind has additionally been thrust into the highlight, with Cummins and Australia coach Andrew McDonald each rising to defend the batsman
‘I feel the pile-on has been tough – nevertheless, we do anticipate a excessive customary of that group so there’s some frustrations on the market, however they are not coming from my finish.’
After a complete of 17 wickets had been misplaced on Day One of many Take a look at, India returned to declare at 487 runs on Day Three, after each Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal each hit centuries for the guests.
Whereas Australia’s bowlers struggled to wrestle the innings off India, their batters had been unable to bounce again after India had set the hosts an enormous goal.
Debutant Nathan McSweeney, Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne all fell earlier than the shut of play on Day Three, earlier than Usman Khawaja was dismissed for 4 runs and Steve Smith for 17 runs on the ultimate day.
‘Have you ever ever seen such a despondent group of Australian cricketers, resorting to these ways? What are deemed detrimental, unlawful ways actually by the rulebook?’ Adam Gilchrist requested on Fox Footy.
Michael Vaughan added: ‘It is not one thing I’ve seen earlier than from Australia.
‘I am taking a look at this Australian facet, they seem to be a terrific facet, and for no matter purpose they bowl out India for 150, then solely bat effectively sufficient to solely get 104, after which with the ball in hand they’d intervals the place they bowled properly however that final half an hour is one thing I’ve not seen in Australia.
‘Each boundary rider was on the fence, Labuschagne’s bowling across the wicket, he is bowling negatively.’
Steve Smith’s (left) Take a look at credentials have additionally confronted scrutiny, after he scored 17 runs throughout each innings
Cummins has risen to again his team-mates after claims have additionally been made that there’s a ‘divide’ in Australia’s dressing room
O’Keefe (proper), who made 9 Take a look at Appearances for Australia, taking 35 wickets, referred to as the pile-on ‘unfair’
Whereas Australia have some troublesome inquiries to reply, Cummins has backed his under-fire stars, rising to the defence of Labuschagne.
‘Marnus, together with fairly a couple of guys within the group, did not have the week that we might have needed,’ he stated.
‘It is no secret how laborious the batters, notably Marnus, work within the nets, and he is at all times looking for these small marginal positive factors.
‘So this week there will likely be lots of dialog with the coaches round possibly his method and what he might be doing in another way.
‘We all know he is a category participant. Him at his greatest is among the scariest propositions for opposition bowlers to bowl at.’
Regardless of the poor efficiency, Australia’s coach, Andrew McDonald claimed his facet will return to the drafting board and look to spin issues round in Adelaide subsequent week.
‘The morale is at all times good. It’s a reasonably stage group, whether or not it’s a very good day or a foul day,’ McDonald stated.
‘We’ve bought some issues to unravel forward of us. There’s little question we’re clearly effectively behind the sport at this stage. India have gotten the motive force’s seat in the mean time, however that’s to not say that tomorrow can’t change in a short time.
‘Take a look at cricket ebbs and flows. We’ve all been part of a sport while you’ve been effectively forward of the sport and it may possibly twist and switch. So we’ll get to work on what it appears like for us tomorrow morning.’
