New Delhi, Mar 25 (PTI) A livid Australian media labelledtheir side as "worst" in 34 years and ridiculed the shotselection of their top order batsmen to "insanity" after Indiainflicted a humiliating 4-0 whitewash on the visitors.
"IT's official. Australian cricket's class of 2013 arethe worst to tour India ... and the nation's worst Test outfitin 34 years. That is the macabre reputation Michael Clarke'sbattered troops will bring home," a write-up in the Telegraphread.
'Herald Sun' was more harsh in chiding the batsmen.
"THEY say the definition of insanity is doing the samething over and over and expecting a different result. UnlessAustralia's batsmen change something - starting today - theymight wake up in a mental ward before the Ashes."
"The real concern ahead of the Ashes is not so much thebatting averages in India, but the wider mentality thatgoverns the decisions, and mistakes, Australia's batsmen aremaking," the report added.
The Australian sports writers came down heavily on thetop-order and stand-in captain Shane Watson was hit hardest.
"The struggling all-rounder can no longer be a selectionuntouchable after his form slump yesterday hit crisis pointduring Australia's latest batting collapse.
"...If any player should forensically analyse their formon this shambolic tour, it is Watson," wrote Telegraph.
"With Michael Clarke, he arrived as Australia's mostseasoned player. He returns home as the only specialistbatsman in the series not to post a fifty. Even tail-endersSiddle (51 and 50) and Mitchell Starc (99) managedhalf-centuries on this tour.
"In the ultimate indictment, No.11 Nathan Lyon (244balls) managed to survive more deliveries on this tour thanWatson (239). Lyon (18) also finished with a superior battingaverage to Watson (16.5)," the critical piece added.
Continuing in the same vein, Sydney Morning Herald pilloried Watson the most.
"Watson, the captain in Delhi, has been the most guiltyand there was more of the same on Sunday. His shot, rockingback and trying unsuccessfully to heave the left-armer PragyanOjha to the boundary, was not one out of the leadershiphandbook."
'Herald Sun' also questioned the way Australian batsmengot themselves out.
"Australia's second highest individual score in thisseries is 99 ... by paceman Mitchell Starc. Getting out inIndia is not a crime. Getting out the same way is."
"Too often on this tour Australia's top-order have comeunstuck with either carbon-copy dismissals, recklessstrokeplay or, worse, going against the initial plans they hadin place to counter India's bowlers."
Syndey Morning Herald wrote that the only remedy forAustralia's redemption seem to be overhaul of the top order.
"When the dust settles from Australia's tour de farce,one subject should stand out above all else. Not''Homeworkgate'', not the dynamic between Michael Clarke andShane Watson, and not Mickey Arthur's Twitter account.
"...As treacherous as conditions were against thetrickery of Ravindra Jadeja on Sunday, Australia's top orderwas culpable for yet another collapse."
The media was worried as the Ashes series is loominglarge against a very formidable England.
"Watching the final-day massacre from his Sydneylounge-room, the injured Clarke must wonder how on earthAustralia rebuilds for the Ashes," wrote 'Telegraph'.
"..Australia's batsmen still haven't collectivelyclicked, largely making unforced errors that will be fatalduring the Ashes," feared Herald Sun.