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Michael Clarke: No regrets for homework-gate; was best decision for Australian cricket

Clarke said the decision was in the best interest for Australia/

Mickey Arthur (left) and Michael Clarke came under heavy scrutiny for dropping four players when Australia were struggling on their tour to India in 2013 © Getty Images
Mickey Arthur (left) and Michael Clarke came under heavy scrutiny for dropping four players when Australia were struggling on their tour to India in 2013 © Getty Images

Jul 25, 2014

Michael Clarke, the Australian captain has said that he has no regrets about the homework-gate scandal that rocked the side on their tumultuous tour to India in 2013. During that tour, four players — Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson — were dropped from the side for the third Test at Mohali as they had not submitted their thoughts on how to improve their performances. This caused quite an uproar as Australia were already 0-2 down in the series. And, they went on to lose the series 0-4. Coach Mickey Arthur and Clarke had come under heavy fire then.

Speaking to Fairfax media, Clarke said, “India by far was the toughest period of my captaincy. In the build up to that event (Homework-gate), there were a number of things that occurred over a long period of time; it wasn’t just that event. Mickey drew a line in the sand and yes, I was a part of it, I stand by that, but I don’t regret it one bit. I backed my coach, I supported him and I believe the decision, especially now that I look back, was the best decision for Australian cricket.”

Clarke also described the tour to India as the worst in his captaincy. “I was more disappointed and upset at the fact a team I was captaining was labelled the worst Australian team to tour India. We said if you want to be a part of what I believe is the greatest team in the world, then you need to be willing to jump on the train and at the time, the whole team was not on the train. So for guys that let us down again, there’s going to be severe punishment,” he said.

After losing 0-4 to India, Clarke’s side then lost the Ashes in England 0-3, even though they showed a lot more fight and spirit on that tour. However, the team bounced back during the return leg of the Ashes by whitewashing their old rivals 5-0. Clarke also stated that even though Australia have recovered and have gone on to beat South Africa on their home turf, there is a long way to go as they have a few tough assignments ahead.

Read more: The Michael Clarke-Mickey Arthur Bombshell

 

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