Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy didn’t mince his words in the post mortem of Australia’s Test series defeat to India.
The Aussies were beaten by a spirited Indian side who were without a host of top-line talent, including skipper and star batsman Virat Kohli beyond the first Test.
After trailing the series 0-1, India secured a 2-1 triumph by clinching the fourth Test on the final day in Brisbane in remarkable fashion to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Healy was strong in his criticism of Justin Langer’s side and questioned the commitment of the players.
“They played without real commitment,” Healy said on SEN 1170's Drive.
“They weren’t right in the contest often enough. There weren’t hungry to convert 60 runs to 130 runs with individual totals.
“I just thought we were a bit soft this summer.
“That coaching staff and senior players, they need to put a finger on why we just didn’t play as well as should have and rectify it.
“This team isn’t that bad. They just played bad enough to lose to India’s second XI.”
Healy was also strong in his criticism of Aussie skipper Tim Paine, both with the gloves and his overall captaincy.
“What I saw with ‘Painey’ in Sydney and Brisbane was that he mustn’t be training hard enough,” he added.
“His wicketkeeping technique was off when he kept to Nathan Lyon.
“I think his captaincy then suffered because he wasn’t trying enough as the captain.
“That then opens it up to what is the vice-captain doing? Pat Cummins, where are your suggestions on the field?
“Not much innovation at all so that really does have to be discussed why all those people in that dressing room missed all that.
“It was a really strange performance by the captain, vice-captain, coach and the coaching staff.
“Our fielding was hopeless. Two things I’d work with is fielding and attitude... and the rest will come back.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming Test series against South Africa, Healy remained positive that this Australian side can still be successful without the need for wholesale changes.
Listen to the full chat below: