The Australian cricket team resorted to everything they could to break the solid partnership between Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin on the last day of the third Test at Sydney Cricket Ground. At one point, a desperate wicketkeeper-captain Tim Paine even took to abuse while sledging Ashwin from behind the stumps.
Former Australian captain Greg Chappell is among those who did not endorse the behaviour from Tim Paine and decided to write an open letter to the Australian captain. He in that letter strongly condemned Paine's actions and asked him to set a better example.
Chappell wrote in the Syndey Morning Herald, "Abuse is not acceptable in any workplace and talk, in my opinion, is cheap. It does not show one’s strength. Rather, it displays a weakness of character. I urge you to impress on the team to let the bat and ball do the talking and set better examples to millions of impressionable little boys and girls, lest they start imitating the worst instincts and actions of their sporting heroes."
"This will be the greatest legacy that you can leave," added.
The 72-year-old also acknowledged the fact that Paine apogolized for his behaviour after the Sydney Test came to an end and let him know that one bad day surely cannot make others forget all the good deeds he has done in rebuilding the image of Australian cricket.
Chappell continued, "You have led Australia with flair, courage and humour and have contributed immensely in rebuilding the image of Australian cricket following the events in Cape Town, three years ago. I urge you to keep leading in the way that you have been, since taking over the captaincy. I would hate one bad day to undo all of the good work that you and your team have done."
"Your mea culpa and promise to do better after Sydney is a step in the right direction. It shows contrition and a resolve to get things back on track. I have no doubt that you have a year or two of good cricket left in you, and detractors who are piling on right now, should judge you in time, and not on the basis of one mad afternoon."
(With inputs from Sydney Morning Herald)
