Update: Australian crisis

The four players Watson, Pattinson, Khawaja and Johnson have apparently been dumped for failing to fill out a questionnaire following the second test defeat. All 16 players were given a week to answer some questions and reflect upon the test match. They then needed to make a presentation of some kind saying why they should be in the team and what they need to improve on. The other 12 players did; these four players did not and have consequently been stood down. Mickey Arthur has described it as being a "line in the sand" moment in the team.

There are two schools of thought on this. One, it is an incredibly tough punishment for what they have done. I was thinking that their had been a behaviourial related incident or perhaps regarding the consumption of alcohol. But no, essentially they haven't done their homework so have been given a detention.

On the other hand, one can agree with Mickey Arthur and realise that they deserve their punishment. The team culture needs improving and if they thought they were too good to partake in a reflection then so be it.

I am leaning more towards the latter viewpoint, as it is just staggering how they could have just decided not to do something all the other players did. For Shane Watson in particular, it beggers belief. He is the vice-captain of the team and should be leading by example. This incident and his poor form of late could in fact be the death knell of his test career.

Phil Hughes will be one in a brighter mood though as he now has a good chance of being retained for the third test and given another opportunity to score some runs.

Australian cricket is really in a shambles at the moment and it doesn't look like ending anytime soon. After this series, they play 10 consecutive matches against England, 3 in South Africa and then 3 in the UAE against Pakistan. If these cultural issues are not improved and the team's form continues on, Australia might find themselves going through a horror trot of five series losses (worst case scenario 0-17 w/l ratio).

Edit (Cricinfo article with more details):  http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2013/content/current/story/624494.html