Australian captain Pat Cummins has declared Fox commentators got it “100 per cent wrong” when they inferred there was division in the changeroom during the Perth Test.
With Australia 3-12 at the end of day three, star quick Josh Hazlewood was asked what his team’s approach to chasing the mammoth 534 lead set by India would be.
“You probably have to ask one of the batters that question,” he responded.
It prompted Fox commentator and Test great Adam Gilchrist to question if there was a “divide” brewing between the bowlers and batsmen.
“That to me tells me there is potentially a divided change room. I don’t know if there is. I might be reading too much into that,” Gilchrist said on the pay-TV broadcaster.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan then fuelled the flame, admitting he was “staggered by that” response.
“Josh Hazlewood is a great bowler, terrific team member. Publicly, I’ve never heard an Australian come out and kind of divide the camp into batters and bowlers,” he said.
Cummins hit back as he spoke to the media at Adelaide Oval on Thursday, adamant there were no issues within the changeroom.
He accused some commentators of stirring up controversy to create headlines.
“The team’s great. Some of the commentators got that 100 per cent wrong,” Cummins said.
“We’ve prepared like we always do and get around each other. It’s a great feeling around the team. We don’t make too much of it.
“When things don’t go right, there are enough commentators that will support you but also some that will, of course, create some headlines.
“We try not to take too much notice of it. We just go about our things.”
Hazlewood will not feature in the day-night second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain, replaced by fellow paceman Scott Boland for the crucial clash.
All-rounder Mitch Marsh has been declared fit despite battling ankle soreness following Australia’s humiliating 295-run defeat to India in the first Test.