Here's why Pak coach Mickey Arthur has a score to settle with Australia

BRISBANE: It will certainly be a test of nerves for Pakistan cricket team's coach Mickey Arthur, as the team braces to take the field against Australia on Dec. 15, the same team Arthur had coached before getting the boot in 2013 following the 'homework gate' controversy. 

This is perhaps the most important series for Mickey Arthur ever since he took over as the coach of Pakistan cricket team this year. For one, Australia is a cricketing giant and Pakistan seems to be licking its wounds still from a crushing whitewash against New Zealand. However, that is not all. Mickey Arthur used to coach the Australian cricket team until March 2013, when he was axed following the controversial 'homework gate' affair.

Arthur had, however, downplayed the affair and claimed that the series was about two cricketing giants facing each other rather than his past. 

"That's what happens. It's a ruthless world out there. I always maintain that I loved the first year and a bit of it, it was outstanding and I felt we made some significant progress. This series isn't about me against Australia, it's about two very good cricket teams going head to head. I hope that can be the focus," he said on Monday. 

In March 2013, as the Australian cricket team was down 2-0 against India at an away Test match series, Mickey Arthur asked the players to submit in writing three points on how their individual performances and those of the team could be improved. Then vice-captain Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja did not comply with the request to submit their homework. In a surprising move, just a couple of days before the third Test was to start in Mohali, these four players were axed from the Australian cricket team.

Following the announcement, Shane Watson left for home. While the team management claimed that the cricketer had left for home to tend to his pregnant wife, the media couldn't help but connect the dots and come to the conclusion that the disciplinary decision had fanned dissent within the cricket team.

"That's a line-in-the-sand moment. We have given these guys absolute clarity. We have given this team a huge amount of time to buy in with what we want to do for the Australian cricket team," Arthur had said about the incident.

Following the incident, just weeks before the 2013 Ashes series was to begin, Mickey Arthur was fired. The homework scandal sparked a debate within cricketing circles and media regarding Arthur's attitude. Mickey Arthur had also commented on the 'homework gate' and claimed that he had learnt from the experience. 

"You go back and analyse and think about it, and I’ve obviously learnt a hell of a lot from that experience," Arthur had said. "But I haven’t changed my style, because I don’t think you could compromise on what you think is the right way to work … on your core values and principles."

Mickey Arthur does not expect a warm reception in Australia and he probably might not even get one. However, will the Pakistan cricket team coach wilt under pressure or will the controversial past add fuel to fire in adding determination to his cause of defeating Australia?