Ex-Australian Test star fires back at ‘unjustified’ criticism of Pat Cummins side following India defeat, branding the pile-on ‘tall poppy syndrome’

Ex-Aussie Cricket star Steve O’Keefe has hit back at criticism of Pat Cummins’ side following their 295-run defeat to India.

The former Sydney Sixers spinner labeled the flack the Test side received after the first Test as ‘tall poppy syndrome’, adding it was also ‘unwarranted’.

Cummins and Andrew McDonald have both hinted it is ‘unlikely’ any changes will be made to the squad before next week’s meeting in Adelaide.

But questions have been raised about the credentials of several Australian stars, including Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, after the pair disappointed in Perth.

“It frustrates me… I think the pile is unfair,” O’Keefe told SEN Radio.

“I think the stack is just an indication that a lot of people want to come out of the closet, the tall poppy syndrome in Australia, and join this team.

Australia were criticized for their performance during their 295-run loss to India in Perth

Marnus Labuschagne’s recent form has also been put in the spotlight, with Cummins and Australian coach Andrew McDonald both stepping up to defend the batsman.

“I think the build-up was tough, but we expect a high level from that team, so there are some frustrations, but they’re not from my side.”

After losing a total of 17 wickets on day one of the Test, India bounced back to stand on 487 runs on day three after both Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal both hit centuries for the visitors.

While the Australian bowlers struggled to wrestle the innings out of India, their batters could not bounce back after India set a huge target for the hosts.

Debutant Nathan McSweeney, Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne all fell before the end of the match on Day Three, before Usman Khawaja was dismissed for four runs and Steve Smith for 17 runs on the final day.

“Have you ever seen such a despondent team of Australian cricketers resorting to these tactics? What are actually considered negative, illegal tactics under the rules?’ asked Adam Gilchrist on Fox Footy.

Michael Vaughan added: “It’s not something I’ve seen out of Australia before.

‘I look at this Australian team, they’re a great team, and for some reason they bowl India out for 150, then only bat well enough to get only 104, and with the ball in hand they had spells in which they bowled nicely, but I haven’t seen that last half hour in Australia yet.

“Every boundary rider was on the fence, Labuschagne bowls around the wicket, he bowls negative.”

Steve Smith’s (left) Test data also came under scrutiny after he scored 17 runs in both innings

Cummins has stood up to support his teammates after it was also claimed there is a ‘rift’ in Australia’s dressing room

O’Keefe (right), who made nine Test appearances for Australia and took 35 wickets, called the stack ‘unfair’

As Australia face some tough questions, Cummins has backed his under-fire stars and defended Labuschagne.

“Marnus, along with quite a few guys in the team, didn’t have the week we would have liked,” he said.

“It’s no secret how hard the batters, especially Marnus, work in the nets, and he’s always trying to find those little marginal gains.

“So this week there will be a lot of talk with the coaches about maybe his approach and what he could do differently.

‘We know he is a class player. He at his best is one of the most terrifying propositions for opposition bowlers to bowl against.”

Despite the poor performance, Australian coach Andrew McDonald claimed his side will go back to the drawing board next week and try to turn things around in Adelaide.

‘Morale is always good. “They’re a pretty even team, whether it’s a good day or a bad day,” McDonald said.

‘We still have some problems to solve. There’s no doubt that we’re clearly way behind the game at this stage. India is in control at the moment, but that doesn’t mean tomorrow can’t change quickly.

‘Test the ebb and flow of cricket. We have all been part of a game when you have a big lead on the game and it can twist and turn. So we’ll start working on what it looks like for us tomorrow morning.”