Mr. MCDERMOTT: The gist of what he received was that there was small arms fire taken, the squad aggressively responded to it.

NPR: Charges Expected Against Marines in Haditha Case

Members of his squad opened fire - the Marines say in self-defense.

NPR: Charges Expected Against Marines in Haditha Case

Their poor showing even sparked a government inquiry back home, with coach Raymond Domenech and a number of influential squad members coming under fire.

BBC: France World Cup exit made Richard Dunne 'laugh'

Nevertheless, boss Darren Ferguson has handed Lewis his backing and Zakuani says the whole Posh squad are fully behind their under-fire shot-stopper.

BBC: Zakuani urging Lewis fan support

Coach Gareth Jenkins has come under fire in Australia for bringing such an under-strength squad, but he insisted the players are good enough to the trouble their hosts.

BBC: Wallaby Tuqiri out of Wales Tests

Although there was no sign of any fire following an inspection by the airport's crew the squad were forced to continue the rest of the journey home by coach at 0135 GMT.

BBC: Stoke players in plane emergency

But, on the same day his main rivals for a middle-order berth in the 17-man squad, Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson, failed to fire for the second time against the England attack in Hobart, Hussey came good at the MCG.

BBC: Ashes: Mike Hussey primed for Gabba Test after century