Cricket Australia high performance manager Pat Howard says the disciplinary breach that resulted in four players – including vice-captain Shane Watson – being ruled ineligible for the third Test in India was the “straw that broke the camel’s back”.

Howard conceded that the call to dump Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson for the Test would polarise people but said the team had to send a “strong statement” after previous disciplinary breaches.

A reportedly angry Watson has flown home to Australia to be with his wife who is expecting a baby at the end of the month.

“We have obviously made a very tough decision,” Howard said.

“The captain and coach have sent a very strong message about the expectations that are required to play for Australia.

“It’s a high performance culture we are after and they have made a stance on what the minimum is required.”

Howard backed the decision to drop the quartet after they failed to complete a written task outlining what they could bring to the team following one of Australia’s heaviest Test losses at Hyderabad which left them trailing 2-0 in the series.

“This was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Howard said.

“Across the board there have been wins but there are others who are taking longer to get on board.

“Eventually at some stage you have to make a call.”