Greg Buckle

MOHALI, India, March 11 AAP – Australia have stood down four players from selection for Thursday’s third Test against India.

National coach and selector Mickey Arthur said on Monday that vice-captain Shane Watson, Test quick James Pattinson and squad members Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson have been told they will not be considered for the third match of the four-Test series.

The four players failed to meet a deadline of Saturday night to provide feedback to the coach on how the side can improve after being thrashed in the first two Tests.

Arthur described it as a line-in-the-sand moment.