Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has declared “no-one fears Australia” while taking aim at a number of the side’s under-achieving stars.
Noting that there’s “a lot of gaps” in the Australian team, Warne said the feeling of invincibility at home had long disappeared.
Australia hasn’t played a Test match since a 2-1 series loss to India last summer, which included defeat at the Gabba for the first time since 1988.
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While acknowledging that Australia will face a weak English side this summer, Warne told Fox Cricket that all is not well with the national side.
“When you think back to Australia and think back to Ashes series in Australia, England have been very, very poor for a long time when they come to Australia. But I just look at the Australian side and there’s a lot of gaps,” he said.
“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 Starc’s nowhere, (Josh) Hazlewood’s bowling well.
Victorian coach Chris Rogers confirmed yesterday that rising star Will Pucovski is unlikely to be fit for the first Test, after his latest bout of concussion. It leaves two spots in the top five up in the air, with selectors needing to find an opening batsman and a number five.
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor told Wide World of Sports last week that Usman Khawaja and Travis Head could fill those two spots, although Marcus Harris is very much in contention to partner Warner.
According to Warne, the top order is in a state of flux, while Tim Paine was singled out for his tactical nous, something that Taylor also questioned following the loss to India.
“We’ve got (David) Warner not making a run. Who’s he going to open with?” Warne asked.
“(Marnus) Labuschagne and (Steve) Smith at three and four, but who’s going to bat (at) five? (Cameron) Green is still a young player that looks pretty good.
“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 as great, this ‘almighty Australia’.
“But here’s the big thing: No one fears Australia anymore. Coming to Australia, everyone used to go ‘oh we’re going to have to be at our best to even compete’. Now they just believe they can beat Australia – every side.”
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