Cricket NSW boss Dave Gilbert says a 'deadly cocktail' of players putting their own cause ahead of the team's good led to one of the heaviest defeats in the Blues' Bupa Sheffield Shield history at the weekend.
A star-studded NSW team was routed by an innings and 323 runs by Western Australia at the WACA, continuing a miserable season for Stephen O'Keefe's side.
The Blues will finish fourth or fifth in the Ryobi Cup and either last or second last on the Shield table.
The sorry performance in the west was the low point of the summer.
The visitors were bowled out for 91 in their first innings and 146 in the second after WA declared their first innings at 3-560.
Out-of-favour Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin underlined the extent of the debacle, bagging a dreaded pair to jeopardise his hopes of a recall to the national side.
All-rounder Shane Watson, making his way back from injury, batted reasonably well in both digs but bowled well within himself.
"It's a clear case of the curse of the rep players." Gilbert told <i>Sportal</i> on Monday.
"When you are in and out of the Australian team it can fry your mind and clearly we didn't manage that."
"Eight of the 11 players in that side have played for Australia and it's obvious that minds were elsewhere."
"Too many weren't concentrating on the next ball but were instead worrying about what the future held for them."
With two Shield matches left in the season, Gilbert implored the Blues to show some pride and put the team first.
"Maybe we had to hit rock bottom for things to start heading upwards," he said.
"Perhaps it was the hiding we had to have. We have to be better than that."
First-year skipper O'Keefe said the defeat in WA left him 'hollow' and searching for answers after a testing season.
But he has the backing of Gilbert, who said: "SOK (O'Keefe) has found it tough. Because he is such a passionate team man, he is taking the results personally."
"But I am really pleased with what he's done with the team - it's been one of those seasons where really nothing has gone right for us."
