Ex-Aussie Cricket star Steve O’Keefe has lashed back at criticism levelled at Pat Cummins’ side following their 295-run defeat by India.
The former Sydney Sixers spinner slammed the flack the Test side has received following the first Test as ‘tall poppy syndrome’, adding that it was also ‘unjustified’.
Cummins and Andrew McDonald have both hinted that it is ‘unlikely’ that changes will be made to the squad ahead of next week’s meeting in Adelaide.
But questions have been asked on the credentials of several Aussie stars, including Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, after the pair underwhelmed in Perth.
‘It frustrates me … I think the pile-on is unjustified,’ O’Keefe told SEN Radio.
‘I think the pile-on is just indicative of a lot of people wanting to come out, tall poppy syndrome in Australia, and latch onto this team.
Former Australia cricketer Steve O’Keefe has hit back at critics of Pat Cummins’ side following their defeat by India
Australia have been slammed for their performance during their 295-run loss against India in Perth
Marnus Labuschagne’s recent form has also been thrust into the spotlight, with Cummins and Australia coach Andrew McDonald both rising to defend the batsman
‘I think the pile-on has been rough – however, we do expect a high standard of that team so there’s some frustrations out there, but they’re not coming from my end.’
After a total of 17 wickets were lost on Day One of the Test, India returned to declare at 487 runs on Day Three, after both Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal both hit centuries for the visitors.
While Australia’s bowlers struggled to wrestle the innings off India, their batters were unable to bounce back after India had set the hosts a huge target.
Debutant Nathan McSweeney, Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne all fell before the close of play on Day Three, before Usman Khawaja was dismissed for four runs and Steve Smith for 17 runs on the final day.
‘Have you ever seen such a despondent team of Australian cricketers, resorting to those tactics? What are deemed negative, illegal tactics really by the rulebook?’ Adam Gilchrist asked on Fox Footy.
Michael Vaughan added: ‘It’s not something I’ve seen before from Australia.
‘I’m looking at this Australian side, they’re a terrific side, and for whatever reason they bowl out India for 150, then only bat well enough to only get 104, and then with the ball in hand they had periods where they bowled nicely but that last half an hour is something I’ve not seen in Australia.
‘Every boundary rider was on the fence, Labuschagne’s bowling around the wicket, he’s bowling negatively.’
Steve Smith’s (left) Test credentials have also faced scrutiny, after he scored 17 runs across both innings
Cummins has risen to back his team-mates after claims have also been made that there is a ‘divide’ in Australia’s dressing room
O’Keefe (right), who made nine Test Appearances for Australia, taking 35 wickets, called the pile-on ‘unfair’
While Australia have some difficult questions to answer, Cummins has backed his under-fire stars, rising to the defence of Labuschagne.
‘Marnus, along with quite a few guys in the team, didn’t have the week that we would have wanted,’ he said.
‘It’s no secret how hard the batters, particularly Marnus, work in the nets, and he’s always trying to find those small marginal gains.
‘So this week there will be a lot of conversation with the coaches around maybe his approach and what he could be doing differently.
‘We know he’s a class player. Him at his best is one of the scariest propositions for opposition bowlers to bowl at.’
Despite the poor performance, Australia’s coach, Andrew McDonald claimed his side will go back to the drawing board and look to spin things around in Adelaide next week.
‘The morale is always good. It’s a pretty level team, whether it’s a good day or a bad day,’ McDonald said.
‘We’ve got some problems to solve ahead of us. There’s no doubt we’re clearly well behind the game at this stage. India have got the driver’s seat at the moment, but that’s not to say that tomorrow can’t change very quickly.
‘Test cricket ebbs and flows. We’ve all been a part of a game when you’ve been well ahead of the game and it can twist and turn. So we’ll get to work on what it looks like for us tomorrow morning.’
