Shane Warne’s astonishing bake of a litany of Australian Test cricketers has seen a response, with captain Tim Paine among a number of prominent names to fire back at the Australian legend.
Warne caused a stir with a brutal verdict on the Test team ahead of this summer’s Ashses series, describing Paine’s captaincy as ‘tactically very poor’ and going hard at a number of other established Test stars.
“Our fast bowlers – Pat Cummins looks short of a gallop and we know he’s going to come good because he’s world class. But (Mitchell) Starc’s nowhere,” Warne said.
“But apart from that, we’ve got (David) Warner not making a run. Who’s he going to open with?
“Paine, he’s had a shocker the last couple of years as captain, tactically he’s been very poor, lost the last two series and can’t make a run.
“Our side’s not that great, this ‘almighty Australia’.”
Speaking on his show ‘Jack and Painey’ with AFL star Jack Riewoldt on SEN Hobart, Paine chose to respond to the barbs with diplomacy.
“I’m going to let it go, Jack, to be honest. I will bite my tongue, I’ve got some things I need to concentrate on first,” Paine said.
“‘Warnie’ is obviously very opinionated, and he’s happy to give his opinion. His job is to critique us.
“I’ve worked in commentary in cricket, worked on the radio with you guys, and at times you have to give an opinion that people don’t like and might not necessarily agree with. End of the day, that’s his opinion and we’ll let him have it for now.”
Paine did cede some ground to Warne, admitting to the Test team’s lack of form. He put it simply down to a lack of opportunities for players to get back into form on the biggest stage.
Tim Paine (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Australia’s four-Test series against India last summer, which was shockingly lost 2-1, are the only Tests the men’s team has played. Tours of Bangladesh and South Africa have been cancelled in the interim, leaving the Aussies with precious little five-day preparation heading into this summer.
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“We’re not hiding from the fact that we haven’t played our best Test cricket… particularly last summer,” Paine said.
“We’ve had very, very little Test cricket, so yeah, there are some guys that are struggling for some continuity and some consistency.
“Jack, if you played four games of footy in 12 months, you’re not always going to be at your absolute best.”
“This team has had some challenges that no other Australian team has had, and we’re fighting our way through them… but we’re not hiding away from that and saying that we are the greatest Australian cricket team, or we’re dominant and we’re playing as well as we would like to.
“We’ve said ourselves that we think we’ve got plenty of improvement left, but we also think that our best cricket is right up there.”
A harsher critic of Warne was former Test fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, particularly in defence of fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc.
Johnson, who like Starc was regularly lambasted for loose bowling throughout his career, urged Warne, a regular critic of Starc, of ‘always saying the same thing’ about the tall quick.
“We all know that ‘Warnie’ loves to get his opinion out there – and he’s deserved it, as well,” Johnson told Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
“I guess the frustrating thing from ‘Starcy’s’ point of view is that it’s always ‘Warnie’ saying the same thing.”
Johnson, who took 313 wickets in 73 Tests between 2007 and 2015, has urged Warne to speak directly to Starc about his perceived problems, rather than lashing him solely through the media.
“I don’t know if they’ve even spoken one on one… I just wonder if ‘Warnie’ actually contacts him and has a chat with him about what he thinks, gives him some advice, instead of just saying it in the media for show,” he said.
Mitchell Starc. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Starc has taken 255 wickets in his 61-Test career to date, at an excellent average of 27.57. However, he has struggled against India’s much-vaunted batting line-up in their recent tours in 2020-21 and 2018-19, taking 11 wickets at 40.72 in the most recent series and 13 at 34.53 three years ago.
Johnson suggested an issue plaguing Starc could be one he faced himself – the unusual line a left-arm fast bowler creates from over the wicket, and the opportunities it creates for the best batters.
“He’s had a bit of a problem with swinging the ball – the ball swings and then it stops swinging and your line is just off as a left-armer,” he said.
“We have to be so tight. When you’re bowling to a right-hander, if you pitch it outside off stump, say a fourth-stump line, and it stops swinging, you’ve got to be onto that pretty quickly, because the angle makes it pretty easy for a batsman to hit that through cover or point or run it down to third man.
“He’d be working on it.”
No stranger to dealing with criticism himself – or in dismantling England on Australian shores – Johnson says the serve could be just the tonic for Starc to rediscover his fearsome best.
“I think this will actually fire up ‘Starcy’ again,” Johnson said.
“I think he quite enjoys ‘Warnie’ having a bit of a dip at him. Whether or not ‘Warnie’ has actually caught onto this or not, where he actually knows he’s going to fire him up and get him going alright.
“Sometimes it takes a bit of a wake-up call or someone to say something like that.”
Pierro
Roar Rookie
That's a good assessment Paul. I tend to be concerned bailey and Langer may over cook it with their favorites . You are certainly right about it being harder to get sacked from the Aussie team than get in it
Paul
Roar Guru
Every selector has favourites, that's why for example, Nathan Lyon got such a long run in the middle of his career when he wasn't doing a lot. I'm sure that's also the origins for the term "it's harder to get sacked from the Aussie team than it is to get into it". The nice thing about a 3 person panel is that each can have favourites but still come u with a strong squad/team, as long as they're prepared to compromise.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Paul reading back on your comments above bailey is just sticking with Harris he never added any more form after a month ago . Bailey and Langer seem to have pets for me
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Paul nearly a month ago I predicted a starting xv that included khawaja and mentioned Carey above. Got some funny responses now they are a stone’s throw from confirmation . See above . My only thought remains to get head or maddinson in they need to do away with the addiction to Harris opening at top . One player off my best squad now . One of Head and or maddinson would start for me and eventually of khawaja doesn’t go abroad after this series I’d start both head and maddinson and elevate labs . Instead the Harris trial continues and open er merry go around stays in motion of he doesn’t have a good summer on home soil
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Paine will play but whether it's sensible to play him with zero to one match lead up is another thing .
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Yes I'm excited about the quality coming through . I'm also pretty sure the media is generally indicating Paine retires this summer unless march happens In Pakistan . Read that today but they are considering cancelling that tour or maybe Paine goes if others won't he says . Maybe a backroom chat agreed there . Carey inglis pierson phillipe provide big options . I think Carey can do well with bat given what he did in uk during the ashes where he faced archers wrath and stayed out there and then had a good effort with pre ashes red ball there . He's ready . Inglis maybe more talented . Carey steady and makes some decent runs under pressure
Paul
Roar Guru
Barring injury, Paine plays this series then we have all of next year to decide the keeping spot. You're clear in your belief that Paine is not the best guy for the job and that's fair enough but I doubt your views will sway the selectors, just as my view that Harris should not have been named opener for the First test, would have swayed George Bailey. The nice thing is, we have some quality options coming through and I reckon any one of Carey, Inglis or Phillipe would do a great job for Australia.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
An extract from fox on the batting averages for keeper bats in waiting and they are all impressive with Paine turning 37 in December it’s time as we may be missing these players coming in to their peak as cricketers : Indeed, despite Peirson’s recent purple patch, Carey’s first-class return since that Test touring party was named last January remains marginally better across the dual disciplines than both his well-credentialled rivals. He has scored more first-class runs at a superior average (434 at 62) than Peirson (411 at 52) and Inglis (400 at 40 including a brief stint in the UK county competition this year) although Peirson is the only one of the trio to have completed multiple centuries in that time. Carey’s SA captain Travis Head claimed his deputy might have added to his hundreds tally had there been more time available in the Shield match against Queensland, which ended in a draw last Monday, with Carey unbeaten on 66 from 115 balls faced.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
It'd interesting if he needs a warm up match or two he should sit the first test out I hope he does the right thing for the team I'm not totally convinced he will. Just over three weeks to go and he hasn't kept a ball, batted or hit the field for some 8 months . Doesn't quite seem right to me when the others have been at it for several months . Must do best thing for the team and Australia take
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Sounds about right Paul a few unknowns and bailey will be tight with Paine being tasmanians . We will find out if they throw the shield form book out the window in 3 weeks as surely the squad is pretty much defined
Paul
Roar Guru
Don't confuse a series result with individual performances. Paine averaged over 40 in that India series, which suggests he was in pretty fair touch with the bat. Completely agree he needs to make some appearances soon, so we can all see how he's tracking with bat & gloves, but I'm assuming he's being closely watched by the CA medical staff and will be right to go for the Ashes. He'll likely be rusty but I expect pretty much everyone from both sides will be in that boat.
Paul
Roar Guru
I really think much will come down to these last few weeks. Harris needs first innings runs badly and if he doesn't make them soon, even Bailey would have to start to question whether he's our best opening bet, especially if Khawaja repeats his first innings in this game. What doesn't help is having a selector in the UAE and I've no idea where Dodemaide is. I also don't know if he's a "yes" man or can think for himself. It won't be till they're all together later this month and Paine is on deck that we'll get a true sense about who wil open and who will bat 5.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Well reading Harris is favored to open by bailey . It's interesting no matter what we say bailey dodemaide and Langer have their favs. I don't know much about dodemides preferences but bailey seems to stick with same old same if he's choosing Harris to open and slotting usi in at 4 or 5. Means nowhere for head or madinson . These guys are all after their second or third chance at a home series . I think consistent form should be rewarded and khawaja and maddinson are edging the other two on consistency with three innings to go in shield for head and Harris in shield pre ashes. Baring in mind there's just been no red ball cricket for a year to two years outside of India series which isn't a great form guide either for the opening and five slots
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Except the skipper has had neck surgery and hasn't picked up a bat for months ? You think that's the best way to start a test in what is probably your last series off the back of a lost series a year ago at home . Not great formlines
Paul
Roar Guru
The modern cricket fan never ceases to amuse he. A guy doesn't make a score so he's canned as a Test prospect, but if a complete outsider makes runs, "he's got to be picked for the Ashes". There's just under 4 weeks before the First Test and plenty of time for guys to still stake claims. Best of luck with your call about Carey. He's not exactly killing it with the bat for the Saffers and there's no way they'd drop the skipper this close to the start of a series this important
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Khawaja and maddinson now In pole position to start as head failed again. It's a strong side on a home deck. Warner Khwaja Labs Smith Green Maddinson Paine/Carey
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Didn’t answer this you can start labs or khawaja with warner depending on the pov . Both labs and khawaja can open or play first drop . They’ll probably stick with formula I’m not too fussed . Maddinson will be an interesting addition in middle if he can rack up one last set of shield runs in front of head . Head failure again In this match not good . Three innings left to make some runs to rival maddinson for the slot
Pierro
Roar Rookie
That team is looking stronger by day Paul . Head failed first innings . Khawaja and maddinson make runs this shield match . One shield match to go I think unless head can make runs. It's warner khwaja labs smith Green maddinson (unless head makes a ton asap and maddinson doesn't ) . Still think Carey should play first test as Paine has picked up a cricket bat since operation and for 10 months plus and we are less than a month away .
Paul
Roar Guru
Huh? I just answered a post where you had Marnus & Usman to open and in this post, you've got Marnus and Warner? Are you going to get all three to go out at the start of Australia's innings and play rock,paper, scissors to see who bats 1& 2?
Pierro
Roar Rookie
My team above looking stronger by the minute after another strong 70 from khawaja who was the only player to bat long today for Queensland .