Australian cricket legend Shane Warne says Steve Smith has never “nailed” the T20 format of the game, as he explained the reasons why he’d drop the right-hander for the remainder of the World Cup.
Australia was humbled by England yesteday morning (AEDT), with the size of the defeat – England won with 50 balls remaining – inflicting major damage on Australia’s net run rate, meaning even victories in the final two matches will not guarantee a spot in the finals.
Only Aaron Finch of the top five batters reached double figures against England, with David Warner, Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis contributing a total of eight runs between them.
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Immediately after the match, Warne called for Smith’s axing from the team, noting that he spent much of the second half of the IPL on the bench for Delhi Capitals.
“Mitch Marsh has to play and that’s why I don’t think Steve Smith – as much as we love him, I think he’s fantastic, he’s awesome – I don’t think he’s ever nailed T20,” Warne told Fox Cricket.
“He can’t even make it in four overseas players in the IPL, he doesn’t make it into any of those teams, his record isn’t great at T20.”
Warne pointed out that Australia had failed to keep pace with the way T20 cricket had evolved.
“We’ve seen England, India, Pakistan show how you have to play T20 cricket,” he explained.
“Having the player that everyone can bat around has gone – those days of T20 are gone with the big bats and the small boundaries. You’ve got to start bashing it. You just have to bash it and go into beast mode.
“We’ve got that in Mitch Marsh, who I’d say is one of our best T20 players, I just don’t understand why he can’t play. For me, he has to play and bat in the powerplay and take advantage of only two players out.”
Smith isn’t the only player who could find himself on the outer, with Warne also suggesting wicketkeeper Matthew Wade could go.
“I think Josh Inglis has to come into the side and Matthew Wade has to be under pressure for his spot as well,” Warne said.
“In this short tournament, you can’t afford people out of touch.
“I’d keep the five bowlers that we played, then I’d bring Inglis in for Wade – he should be in the side – and Marsh for Smith. Those would be my changes. I’d be batting Stoinis at three, Mitch Marsh at four, Inglis at five and Maxwell at six. That would be my side and after six overs Maxwell would go in.”
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