ASHES 2019: Shane Warne slams James Pattinson’s exclusion from Lord’s Test

Warne criticized the national selectors for their 'dangerous' call.

James Pattinson | Getty Images

Australian spin legend Shane Warne has criticized the national selectors for taking a “very dangerous” call to drop the in-form fast bowler James Pattinson for the second Ashes 2019 Test against England to be played at Lord’s from Wednesday, 14th August.

On Tuesday, 13th August, Australia unveiled their 12-man squad for the Lord’s Test with Pattinson resting to bring their star pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in their scheme.

Following their massive win in the first Ashes Test in Birmingham, Tim Paine and Justin Langer will be looking to make the most of the momentum and they took a step towards the same by including Hazlewood and Starc in their XII to make the most of the expected seam-friendly Lord’s turf.

It is being said that Pattinson was rested for the Lord’s Test given his long injury history despite his impressive show in his comeback match, as the paceman finished with match figures of 2-111 from 35 overs against England in Birmingham.

Taking to Twitter, Warne has expressed his surprise at Pattinson’s omission from the Australia squad for the second Ashes Test, saying he is not convinced with the thought that he was rested for the match.

He wrote, “Have just heard the Aussies 12 man squad for the Lords test match. Shocked to see James Pattinson is not in the squad, he should have been in the playing 11. It’s very dangerous decision to drop someone (not rest as 8 days between tests) after they did well in the opening test !,”

Here’s Australia XII for second Ashes Test:

David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (c, wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 14 Aug, 2019

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