We have erred: Pattinson, Watson

Axed Australian duo admits to letting their team down on a number of occasions in the past

After the dramatic turn of events on Monday, Australian camp appeared to be regaining a semblance of normalcy as the players went through their practice session amidst much bantering and huddled discussions between skipper Michael Clarke, coach Mickey Arthur and selector Rod Marsh.

One of the protagonists of Monday’s controversial developments, which witnessed four Aussie players being sacked for the third Test beginning here at the PCA Stadium from Thursday for disciplinary issues, James Pattinson didn’t take part in Tuesday’s practice but had a long chat with Clarke who too restricted himself to monitoring the training.

Pattinson later addressed the media and made a candid admission that he and three other players – Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja – needed a ‘kick in the backside’ for not obeying the team management’s order of presenting their views on improving the team’s performance. So miffed was Watson that the all-rounder packed his bags and flew back to Sydney on Monday.

“That was a bit of shock to everyone I suppose,” noted the paceman referring to his sensational axing. “(But) the way everyone has handled it especially myself and the three guys, who did the wrong thing, I think it has been tremendous the way everyone has gone about it.

There were a few minor things happening in the first couple of Tests that we had to address and we couldn’t let them slide. It is good that everyone has taken the responsibility to confront the issue and put it in the right way and get everyone going in the right direction.

“In terms of the comments from the past players, I have seen a few of them. It is harsh, missing a Test match is very harsh but it is needed and I think it was to get everyone going in the same path. I think this is a small step, it might be harsh but in reality it is the right step towards achieving really good things over the next year as a team,” Pattionson elaborated.

Appearing a bit shaken, Pattinson agreed with Clarke’s statement that the tough action was a result of many such misdemeanours in the past. “It’s been an ongoing thing,” the young bowler admitted.

“These are not massive things. A lot of people are saying it’s not for handing something in (presentations). (Yes) it’s more than that, like being late for something sometimes. You can give fines for that, or something, but that’s only so much. The worst thing is being excluded from something — being excluded from the team, being excluded from playing a Test match.

“That hurts the most. I think we’ve got to get this in our heads straightaway that it’s all about coming together as a team, doing everything as a team and then really pushing for that success. It’s little things that help us in doing the one per cent right. If we’re not doing that one per cent right (off the field), we’re not going to get the one per cent right in the field either.”

His impression of Clarke, Pattinson said, as captain and leader hasn’t changed a bit. “We’ve got great respect for Michael,” he said.

“Me coming into the team, my first captain, he’s done a tremendous job. Not only me but for the team as well. Every other young guy in the team that’s vying to get into the team, I think he’s led very well. He’s been very selfless, he puts the team first before himself, and I think the direction we’re headed in, it’s because of the way he wants the things to go.

As a team, everyone is coming around now and believing, which is the right thing for us. It’s testing times over here because these are such harsh conditions and it’s his first time as captain over here. But I think he’d done a fantastic job and he’s got everyone going in the right direction,” he offered.