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Warne calls for massive changes in Australian cricket

Shane Warne was one of two Australians selected in Wisden's all-time XI (AAP: Julian Smith)
Roar Guru
30th January, 2013
28

This season of Australian cricket 2012/13 has been interesting. In November, the South Africans were pushed right to the end by the Australians in Brisbane, Adelaide and Day 1 of Perth before winning the series 1-0.

Then came the Sri Lankans who were comprehensively outplayed by an inexperienced Australian side 3-0. The ODI series sparked controversy during the fourth match at the SCG when play was called off due to an “unfit” outfield.

The series ended 2-2 and Sri Lankan took out the T20 matches 2-0.

But there has been more controversy off the field caused by the rotation, player management policy and an all-time great in Shane Warne. It started in the BBL when Warne left the Stars for a Christmas/New Year holiday with his wife in the U.K.

Then there was more, when he and Marlon Samuels clashed in an ugly confrontation at the MCG in the Melbourne Derby. Then, via Twitter, he slams the Australian selectors for not doing the best for Australian Cricket.

And if you think that’s where it would all end, think again.

Yesterday Warne made a huge plan and statement. He called for the whole selection panel to be dumped, including coach Mickey Arthur. The champion leg-spinner says Arthur, Andy Bichel and chairman of selectors John Inverarity should be replaced by Warne’s ex-teammates Damien Martyn, Mark Waugh and Glenn McGrath.

However he still had captain Michael Clarke as part of the selection panel. He also wanted Pat Howard to be replaced by former Australian captain Mark Taylor, just a couple days after calling Howard a muppet.

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Stephen Fleming, former New Zealand captain and great, was also called upon by Warne to replace Arthur as the coach.

His coaching staff would also include Darren Lehmann as the assistant, Michael Hussey and Michael Bevan as batting coaches with Merv Hughes and Bruce Reid as bowling coaches. Mike Young would still be the fielding coach.

Warne also wants his mate and former Test skipper Ian Chappell as a consultant to the team.

Warne stated as well that he wanted the best Australian XI competing in all forms of the game which would include Michael Clarke, David Warner, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Shane Watson.

He says there is no need for resting or rotating/protecting players from injuries every match.

“You get to know the person, too much chopping and changing leads to insecurity, players then start to look out for themselves and over their shoulder, this breeds selfishness,” Warne said.

“It’s also why rotation and resting players will never work”. Warne will consult Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland about his ideas.

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In every way, Warne is almost dead on the money. However it would be unlikely this would all happen very quickly before the next Australian summer unless Australia lose the series in India and the Ashes badly.

In my opinion, I reckon Warne’s ideas should be given a crack, but I’d also liked to see Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath included in the bowling coaching department.

What do you think Roarers? Is Warne out of his mind or is he dead right?

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