Oz ‘celebrities’ took their eyes off Ashes aim, says ex-Cricket Australia Chairman

MELBOURNE - Former Cricket Australia (CA) Chairman Malcolm Gray believes that the current national team has become preoccupied with its “celebrity” status following which they took their eyes off the Ashes aim.

Gray’s comment comes after England thrashed Australia by an innings and 83 runs in the fifth and final Test in Sydney on Friday to claim a 3-1 victory.

The victory gave the visitors their first Test series win in Australia since the 1986-87 tour.

It was also the first time Australia had lost three Tests at home since 1988-89, when Viv Richards’ West Indies side had won by a 3-1 margin.

“I am very much a feather duster and a long way from it, but it does appear that the English team were extremely well disciplined. I really think they [Australia] should take a lesson from the England side,” the Age quoted Gray, as saying.

“The English team got here early to get acclimatised, to get used to things. I understand they kept knocking back all of the social engagements because they were here to do the one thing, hold the Ashes.”

“They were completely disciplined, whereas one might get the impression the Australians have been a little overtaken by the celebrity and money involved and all the hype surrounding the cricket. They took their eye off the main aim,” he added

The former CA Chairman further urged the game’s administrators and coaches to get tough in a bid to redeem the Ashes failures.

“Administrators have to worry about how the players are controlled and they should be controlled. They should stop concentrating on the celebrity side of the sport,” Gary said. (ANI)