Sydney, Mar 13 (ANI): Shane Watson's knee-jerk reaction to his sacking for the third Test against India in Mohali by the Australian selectors speaks volumes about the all rounder's self-indulgent behavior and his lack of team spirit, according to sports journalist Malcolm Conn.
"The rights and wrongs of dumping four players for failing to do their homework will be a matter of fierce debate but Watson's reaction as one of those suspended is unacceptable for anyone in a leadership position," Conn wrote in his column for News.com.au.
"The manner of his sudden departure halfway through the tour of India with Australia 2-0 down comes across as a class-A dummy spit. The injury-plagued all-rounder's claim that he is now considering his future as an international cricketer is hardly the broad view of a senior player in a struggling side," he added.
"It smacks of self-obsession, which hardly makes Watson Robinson Crusoe amongst elite sportsmen. Indeed, it is that self-focus and self-belief which combines with natural talent to make a champion," he wrote.
Conn added: "Watson is not a professional golfer, he is second in charge of an inexperienced 16-man touring squad crying out for guidance from its senior players. He has more to think about than just himself."
"Watson is entitled to return home whenever he wants to be with his heavily pregnant wife Lee. Family should always come first, as Ricky Ponting highlighted on more than one occasion by missing Tests during his illustrious career," he further wrote.
"It is not leaving which condemns Watson, it is what he said on departure. He mentioned "I" 10 times and did not utter the word team once," he added.
"No mention of his struggling teammates. No apology for his unacceptable form since he has become vice-captain. No thought of the fact that at just about any time in the previous 20 years he would have been dropped given he has been playing so badly," he further concluded. (ANI)
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