Trouble at mill

The Australian vice-captain, their best quick bowler, their next great batting hope and, um, Mitchell Johnson have all got dropped from the next test for not doing their homework on time. Words fail, rather.

The whole idea of getting professional sportsmen to prepare a presentation on three things they could be doing better is a rotten one. Apart from anything else, what could Khawaja and Johnson say they should improve on, given that neither has played a game on tour? What's Watson supposed to say? Stop being a bit rubbish? What about Pattinson - stop being the best seamer on either side?

It's the most counter-productive bit of coaching since Ray Jennings blasted a ball into the side of Graeme Smith's head by way of a warm-up. It must be a South African thing.