The suggestion was denied at the official presentation after play on the final day by Cummins, but there had already been reports quoting Vaughan and Shastri that were critical of Hazlewood and the team.

The Fox Cricket discussion has since been posted to the broadcaster’s official YouTube channel, accompanied by the headline “‘Staggering’ Has Hazlewood created divide in Australian locker room? Aussies in crisis mode” and emojis denoting a worried face and a red cross.

Maxwell did not refer to Gilchrist directly but was scathing of the Test great turned presenter’s interpretation of Hazlewood’s response.

“It’s taken so out of context and in a negative light,” Maxwell told this masthead. “You’ve never seen a closer bunch of players than the players in the last two years of Australian cricket.

“To draw that assumption from a comment from a No.11 batter saying, ‘You better ask one of the batters’ is so ridiculous. They lose complete and utter credibility.”

Gilchrist was contacted for comment.

Maxwell said reactions such as those in Fox Cricket’s discussion made players wary of speaking to the media.

“There’s a desperation to create controversy, when you’ve got 40 [members of the] cricket media all trying to get a daily story,” Maxwell said. “I just think there’s no incentive for players to provide any colour in a response.

“If you want to disincentivise players from speaking or providing any personality, the media is going about it the right way, and the rights holders.

“Some of the interpretations from what Josh said is looking to create trouble.”

Contacted for comment, Fox Sports said through a spokesperson: “What makes our commentary team the best in the world is their decades of experience, knowledge of the game and courage to call what they see.

“Our audiences choose Fox Cricket, not only for the broadcast experience, but to hear from the best callers and analysts of the game.”

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