India vs Australia: “Frustrated” Shane Warne axes “future Australia captain” from his playing XI for the third Test
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Shane Warne
Cricket legend Shane Warne has made two major changes for the third Test between India and Australia after the visitors thrashed the Aussies for a 8 wicket win at the Boxing Day clash. Shane Warne even cut out the player he believes is “future Australia captain“.
India levelled the four-match series with a victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday. The Australian batting unit failed once again to score beyond 200. Opener Joe Burns‘ spot is under heavy scrutiny after his early exit on day 3. However, Warne believes there should be a change in the middle order as well.
“I think Marcus Harris deserved to play the first Test in Adelaide ahead of Burns,” he said on Fox Cricket’s Big Break when revealing his top seven for the third Test. “I know Pucovski was going to maybe play that too, but I really worry about Pucovski. I just really worry about his wellbeing. I want to see him maybe play some cricket before he gets back in to international cricket and walk out in the furnace,” he added.
“I went with Harris, Warner hopefully back. Matthew Wade slides down to five,” the former spinner said.
“He keeps getting out the same way”
Shane Warne specified that although he is a big fan of Australian batsman Travis Head and considered him “future captain of Australia” there was a major issue with his method of dismissals. Head however has had a consistent run of starts.
“I’m a big fan of Travis Head, I think he’s a future captain of Australia. But I think I’m frustrated like the selectors,” Warne said.
“He keeps getting out the same way. Anyone can get the low scores and we can accept that and stick with them. But if you get out the exactly the same way, I think it is time to say you know what ‘go back to Shield cricket and sort out those technique problems out and come back in’ and hopefully he will get another chance,” he added.
With Matthew Wade‘s move back to the top, Aussies lose some toughness at the top. But Warne’s potential addition will be a big boost for the side. He also explained that the Australian top order needed to take it to India rather than allowing their bowlers to dictate the game.
“I think Australia has allowed India to dictate terms with their bowling,” he said. “I don’t think Australia has tried to take any of them on. But that, India have just been allowed to bowl. Yes, they’ve bowled well but they (Australia) haven’t dictated terms as much,” he added.
“I’d like to see them go after the spinners more and put a bit more pressure back on the bowlers. If that means a bit more aggression at the top they’ll be thankful for Warner being back at the top,” he said.
This was the line-up that Shane Warne went with: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
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