Martyn questions Australian fighting spirit

Following the two heavy Test defeats against India, former Australia cricketer Damien Martyn has said the team lacked fighting spirit and questioned the selection of a few “bits and pieces” players in the squad. “I was more disappointed probably by our second innings – the wicket was hard to bat on, yes, it’s doing a bit more and turning more,” said Martyn. “But to be bowled out in a session – it’s just disappointing in the sense that, where was the fight? I’m not saying we need to make 400 or whatever, but just in our shot selection and running between wickets. [caption id=“attachment_651816” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Damien Martyn has said the team lacked fighting spirit. Getty Images[/caption] “Batting in India, or batting on any wicket, the harder the wicket is, the longer you bat it becomes easier because you’re used to the conditions, you’re used to the ball coming on,” he said, speaking on an online panel, The Cricket Club. Advertisement. Martyn also criticised the team selection for the four-match Test series. “What is Steve Smith there for anyway? We have a squad here of players who do bits and pieces. Nothing personal against them. Yes, they might be great one-day players and Twenty20 players, but in that line-up the (Glenn) Maxwells and all these guys, what’s their main thing? “That’s what I want to know. Is Maxwell going to be our main off-spinner in England? Because if he’s not, then don’t worry about him, get (Nathan) Lyon back in,” Martyn said. India started the four-match Test series with an eight-wicket win, before decimating the visitors by an innings and 135 runs to take a 2-0 lead. Martyn was the player of the series in Australia’s historic 2-1 win in India in 2004, scoring two centuries and topping the scoring tally with 444 runs at an average of 55. PTI