Australia vice-captain Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson won’t be picked for Thursday’s third Test against India for a breach of team discipline. [caption id=“attachment_655427” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Arthur has put his foot down. Getty Images[/caption] “This is a line in the sand,” coach Mickey Arthur said while making the announcement at Mohali. The Aussies will now have just 13 players to choose from with star pacer Pattinson missing from the equation despite the pace-friendly conditions. The decision to drop the four players has set Twitter ablaze and here’s a look at some of the best tweets on the subject.
Adults we are , not schoolboys! Please let's act properly and make good decisions in India! Need these boys playing.
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) March 11, 2013
As I have always said the coach should not be a selector. He should communicate well with the players & help them prepare, that's it !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 11, 2013
What I am confused by is that the coach of Australia asked the players for only 3 things to improve the team??
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 11, 2013
God help us if any player tries to beat Boonie's record of 52 cans Sydney to London? Imagine the consequences of that!!! #ashes
— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) March 11, 2013
From my experience report writing is not a player's strength, no surprise to hear some failing, need to focus more on field short comings?
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 11, 2013
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Do you reckon Arthur rubbed salt in the wound by showing them all Prof. Cowan's 30k word submission replete with notes and bibliography?
— Test Match Sofa (@TestMatchSofa) March 11, 2013
Watson, Pattinson, Johnson, Khawaja axed from 3rd test for not submitting 3 ideas for improvement. Dei. You give a test between tests a?
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) March 11, 2013
Mickey Arthur: "This is a line in the sand." It's called a crease. Behind it are are three poles: they're called stumps ...#laughingstock
— Greg Baum (@GregBaum) March 11, 2013
At least Clarke (still called Pup it would seem according to Cricinfo) will have plenty of "spin" options. No one else left to play.
— Test Match Sofa (@TestMatchSofa) March 11, 2013