Mickey Arthur opens up about 2013 'homework gate' scandal

The ‘homework gate’ scandal still haunts former Australia head coach Mickey Arthur. Former South African cricketer Arthur was in charge of a youthful Australian side during the tour of India in 2012-2013. Australia were already 2-0 down against the hosts India. Out of 40 wickets, spinners picked up 34 wickets in that series. Australian team management didn’t have any clue to defy the Indian challenge.

At this moment, coach Arthur took an unprecedented step as he gave his homework to come up with unique ideas to tackle the issue. With 34 of their 40 wickets picked up by the Indian spinners, Arthur set his players an assignment, asking them to communicate to him some ideas about the best way to improve performance.

A quartet failed to complete the task 

Four players- Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja — failed to execute the task, as a result, they were axed from the next Test in Mohali. This unprecedented move triggered a controversy. The decision drew a firestorm of derision, with the term “Homework gate” entering the cricketing lexicon and accusations levelled at Arthur that he didn’t understand Australia’s unique culture.

However, Arthur acknowledged that his relationship with these four cricketers was very friendly. But, after this incident his tie with Watson, Khawaja and Jonson never recovered. The only exception was James Pattinson.

While talking to Cricbuzz, Arthur said, “My relationship with Shane Watson was never the same. Shane is a lovely bloke and a great cricketer. My relationship with Mitchell Johnson, with whom I was very close to, was never the same.

“Usman Khawaja, my relationship with him got lost. James Pattinson was fine with it. But with the other three, I lost the relationship which was pretty good,” he said.

Only an Aussie can understand Australia’s unique culture 

He further revealed an Aussie player even told him candidly that only an Australian can understands the team culture and should be in charge. Arthur also admitted that it is very difficult to understand the psyche of Australian players.

“It was tough because you think you understand it, but you don’t. I had a very hard conversation with an Australian player, I can’t name him for obvious reasons, but you can figure it out,” the current Pakistan head coach said.

Following the tour of India Arthur lost his job, a traumatic time that was immediately dwarfed by the tragic death of his mother that his professional career into trouble.

“I got sacked and it was unbelievably hard. It certainly hit me so hard. Nobody wants to lose their jobs,” Arthur said. “Nobody wants to be belittled in the public. It became headlines in Australia. I had television crews parking outside my house and harassing my family. It was a terrible time,” he said.

Now, Arthur believes Australia is never going to hire a foreign coach for a long time as they don’t understand Aussies culture. “I don’t think the Australian cricket team will have a foreign coach for a hell of a long time,” he concluded.