Australia are enduring a tough time in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home as they lost the first two Tests inside three days and conceded an unassailable 2-0 lead to India in the four-match series.
While the Aussies suffered an innings and 132-run thrashing in the opening Test in Nagpur, they succumbed to a six-wicket defeat in the second game in Delhi.
Disappointed by the result, former skipper Michael Clarke on Tuesday (February 28) questioned Australian team management's decision not to seek the advice of Mathew Hayden and Mark Waugh on tour.
In Pat Cummins' absence, Steve Smith will lead Australia in the third Test, slated to be held in Indore on Wednesday (March 1).
"Matt Hayden and Mark Waugh are both there in India as commentators. If I was in the Australian camp, I would want both of these men to be with the team at the nets every single day. If they want money give it to them. Even Hayden who used the sweep to perfection is saying on commentary that you can't just sweep every ball or play the reverse sweep every ball. He knows it. You can play these shots when you are not out 80, not when you are on 8. Why can't the management use these players? Why can't they draw on their experience?" Clarke said on Backstage with Boria show.
Clarke, who was part of Australia’s Test series win on Indian soil back in 2004, is frustrated with the way Australia have played in the Border Gavaskar Trophy so far.
Recently, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly predicted that India will win 4-0. When asked if the Aussies can bounce back in the Test series, Clarke replied: "I hope Australia can bounce back. For if they don't it will be hugely frustrating for every Australian cricket fan. At the same time, I understand why Sourav has predicted 4-0. I don't know what Andrew McDonald or anyone else will say but according to me Australia should have gone to India earlier. The preparation was not up to the mark at all.”
“If you couldn't go to India, you should have gone to the UAE at least to prepare for a tour like this. Also, you must play a tour game. To not play a tour game was a very wrong call. You can't train for an India tour by trying to replicate conditions in Australia. It isn't possible. To do so was a mistake. In England, you expect seam and movement, in Australia bounce and pace and in India spin. You can't say I will replicate the conditions at home and train and go on to win. It is not possible," he added.
The former Australia skipper also showered rich praise on the leadership of Rohit Sharma, saying: "Rohit has been stellar. I think he is a very good captain. He has four fielders close to the bat when Australia has four on the boundary. That's the difference. Rohit knows what he wants and is telling the Australians to take risks."
Clarke also backed the Indian team management's decision to back KL Rahul.
"I think if the team is winning and believes he (KL Rahul) is an imp player he should be given another opportunity. If you think he should be backed and clearly the captain and coach, think so I have no problem in him being given another chance. Who knows he will come out and get a 100 for you. Had it been that you aren't winning then it's a diff story. But when you are winning, he can surely be backed."
(With ANI Inputs)
