Aussie cricket legend Shane Warne feels unfair to call Australia’s current struggle in the Test cricket as “ordinary” following their two-match series flop against Pakistan in the UAE, saying the Kangaroos just need a “kick up the backside” at the moment to make them come back at their best.
After having managed to draw the first Test in Dubai, Australia could not hold their nerve and suffered a massive defeat of 373-run in the second and final Test against Pakistan last week due to a familiar batting collapse at Abu Dhabi. There are a lot of questions on the ability of Australian Test side following the embarrassing defeat, but Warne denied the doubt by saying that there is a lot of talent in the domestic circuit to make the foundation of Australian Cricket to be strong.
Warne told reporters on October 22, “It’s been pretty ordinary, hasn’t it? We all support the Aussie side as we do but they need a kick up the backside at the moment because they’re not performing well.”
Commenting on Mitchell Marsh’s show, the spin legend added, “I hadn’t even thought before that series that he had established himself in the team. I don’t think he’s cemented a spot and that’s why it was a strange selection for me as vice-captain. He only averages 25 or 26 in Test cricket.”
He further went on to claim that he is a “huge fan” of the Marsh brothers Mitchell and Shaun, but two have to perform on the field to stake their claim in the national side.
The commentator further added, “Mitchell Marsh needs to go and make some runs. If Mitchell Marsh comes out and makes some hundreds, pick him. If Shaun Marsh makes some hundreds, pick him. If they don’t, then pick the guys who are in form.”
Warne signed off by saying, “I think in any business you need the foundation to be strong, and the foundation of Australian cricket has always been grassroots cricket, club cricket, and first-class cricket, Sheffield Shield cricket. I don’t think there are enough first-class cricketers getting into school cricket and inspiring people and talking to young boys and girls to say cricket’s a great game and this is why teaching them techniques. It just doesn’t happen anymore.”
(Input: AFP)
