Former Australia cricketers Aaron Finch and Ryan Harris cleared air on Sunil Gavaskar's theory which suggested a possible rift in the Australian camp. Former India cricketer's comments came after fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood's finished his press-meet during the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth.
Hazlewood expressed that the Australian batters should be questioned for the loss in Perth instead of the bowlers. The press conference produced speculations that all is not well at the Australian and fuel was added to fire when the pacer got ruled out of the second Test in Adelaide with a side strain.
Gavaskar was not shy to express his feelings saying that he is loving the situation and the "mystery" behind Hazlewood's unavailability for the second Test.
"The panic in the Australian ranks is palpable, with former players calling for heads to be chopped off and some even hinting at cracks in the Australian team after Josh Hazlewood’s media interview at the end of the third day’s play, where he suggested that it was up to the batters to now do something," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
"Now, a few days later, Hazlewood is out of the second Test and possibly the series too with a supposed side strain. Strange, that, since nobody had noticed anything wrong with Hazlewood at that media conference. Mystery, mystery — the like of which used to be common in Indian cricket in the past. Now, it's the Aussies and like Old McDonald, I'm simply loving it," he added.
Reacting to Gavaskar's remarks, former Australian captain Aaron Finch noted that Gavaskar remained silent during the first Test but, now that India has taken a 1-0 lead in the series, he has chosen to make exaggerated comments.
"It's not jabs anymore. Sunny is throwing haymakers over the top. It's quite funny because, having spent a lot of time with him during the first test, he was not saying things like that. He was very respectful of the current Australian group. But now he has just gone bang," Finch said in an ESPNCricinfo show hosted by Neroli Meadows.
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Former Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris did not hold back in his criticism of Gavaskar, dismissing the entire situation as "garbage."
“Look, there are no, factions. That’s just all garbage. I’ve even heard Mr Gavaskar coming out and saying there’s some faction. It’s all rubbish. That doesn’t happen in Australia. I know it happens in India. I’ve lived there," Harris told The Indian Express.
"There’s no politics and no, you don’t miss a game (On Hazlewood) for saying what he said. I’ve spoken to a couple of the boys here at and everyone’s smart. They just know our media and how they work. The Australian media have jumped on it, because we went so bad in Perth. But you’re allowed to be outplayed," Harris added.
“Actually, you know, what Australian media and people have got to realize is that India have won here the last couple of times and they’re a very good team. I mean, it’s only one test. I mean, I have all the respect for Gavaskar, he’s a legend of the game. He is just throwing a little grenade over here and the media have just got hold of him and are having a feast," Harris said.
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