Mickey Arthur shouldn't be made scapegoat for the debacle: Shane Warne

Spin legend Shane Warne today defended Australian coach Mickey Arthur despite the team's dismal show in the ongoing four-Test rubber, saying the South African should not be made "scapegoat" after the series.

"Making Arthur a scapegoat for the poor performance of the Australian team would be unfair on him. The entire team is responsible for this debacle," Warne said when asked if Arthur should be sacked.

The 43-year-old also supported Arthur and Aussie team management's decision to axe four key players, including vice captain Shane Watson, for not completing a presentation that was meant for improving team's performance ahead of the third Test in Mohali.

"If you see the incident in isolation you will find the punishment a bit hard. But I am sure there must have been many more things in the lead up to the expulsion," Warne told reporters at the sidelines of a Advanced Hair Studio's BLITZ treatment.

Warne feels the Australian team would have learnt a lot from this experience and they will emerge better players when they play the Ashes in July.

"They are a good side. It's just that they are inexperienced in these conditions. India is always a difficult place to tour. It took us two tours (1998 and 2001) to learn how to win in India," he said, adding it would be unfair to term this team as the weakest ever Aussie side to have toured India.

Warne also expressed hope that Australian outfit would be looking to get one back after being defeated in three consecutive Tests.

"I am sure they would want to end the series on a bit of a high. I am sure they must have learnt something and would come out as better players from these three Tests. This would certainly help them for the Ashes later in the year," he said.

... contd.

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