Australia’s loss to India in the first Test in Nagpur was criticized as a “humiliation” and “embarrassment” on Sunday, with calls for changes ahead of the second Test.
The world number one team was crushed by an innings and 132 runs in three days on a completely dry field on Saturday, beaten by twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Australia’s second innings 91 was his lowest total in India.
“Pat Cummins’s side have been humiliated in the Nagpur opener Test match,” wrote The Australian Broadsheet.
“You can’t blame the wicket when the opposition post 400, but there is a chance to blame the state of mind in which the Aussies approached the game.”
He said questions must be asked about the decision to drop Travis Head, one of his standout players over the summer at home, and how much longer veteran opener David Warner can stay at Test Cricket after failing again.
The Sydney Morning Herald said Australia had been given “a brutal reality check in its quest for world domination by India’s master spinners”, while Sydney’s Daily Telegraph urged change.
“Travis Head’s sacking looked silly on day one and positively stupid on day three after Australia’s terrible showing,” the Telegraph said.
You must return. But Travis Head alone wouldn’t have raised the Titanic.
Former captain Allan Border said the team should be “ashamed” and would be left with “so many scars”.
“I hope our players are embarrassed by that performance. It’s just poor overall. It’s hard to believe it happened so quickly,” he told Fox Sports.
“It seems like we overthink this particular tour and who should be there, who shouldn’t be there. We started off as badly as we could. Hopefully we’ve hit rock bottom.”
Mark Waugh, selector during Australia’s 2017 campaign in India, also said Head and all-rounder Cameron Green, if fit, should be called up for the second Test in Delhi.
“There have been too many bruises from this game to carry on (with the current side),” he said. “If Cameron Green is fit, he has to come in and Head has to come back.”
That would likely drop Matt Renshaw, with Scott Boland also at risk if Green were to return.
Mitchell Starc could also be an option, with the pace spearhead expected to join the team this week after recovering from a serious finger injury.
