The 49-year-old Shane Warne questioned Australia's domestic cricket structure and said the Grade system was "going backwards". He also questioned Australian bowlers' lengths against India batsmen where they managed to get only one LBW decision in the whole four-Test rubber
Sydney: Spin legend Shane Warne on Tuesday called for a 'complete overhaul' of Australian cricket after losing 1-2 to India in the recently concluded four-Test rubber.
Warne took to Twitter to hit out at Cricket Australia (CA) and questioned the Under-23 programme, which he labelled it as "ridiculous".
The former leg-spinner's comments came after ex-England captain Michael Vaughan wrote in The Daily Telegraph that Australia's problems won't be solved by the return of Steve Smith and David Warner, who are currently serving a one-year ban due to their roles in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018.
Also read: Australia 'not good enough' for India, says Vaughan
"Unfortunately, I have to agree with @MichaelVaughan here Jnr. Yes Warner & Smith will help, but Aust cricket needs a complete overhaul re the following. Coaching at all levels, the ridiculous under 23 programme, academy etc. As we are not producing quality smart cricketers-why ? (sic)," he wrote on his Twitter handle in response to Vaughan's article and former batsman Mark Waugh's comments.
Unfortunately, I have to agree with @MichaelVaughan here Jnr. Yes Warner & Smith will help, but Aust cricket needs a complete overhaul re the following. Coaching at all levels, the ridiculous under 23 programme, academy etc. As we are not producing quality smart cricketers-why ? https://t.co/ZBBYToJl7O
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 8, 2019
Waugh had refused to agree with Vaughan's comments and had written on Twitter, "I’m not so sure about that Mr.Vaughan. Assuming Warner and Smith get back to somewhere near there best I’m suggesting they will make a huge difference. You take the 2 best batsmen out of any cricket team in the world and see what happens or even 1. Kohli, Root, Williamson etc (sic)."
Also read: Ricky Ponting slams Australian team
Warne, who took 708 Test wickets in 145 matches during his illustrious career, was part of Fox Cricket's coverage of the India-Australia Test series.
The 49-year-old questioned Australia's domestic cricket structure and said the Grade system was "going backwards". He also questioned Australian bowlers' lengths against India batsmen where they managed to get only one LBW decision in the whole four-Test rubber.
"Not one LBW for the quick bowlers in the series and not 1 hundred by any batsman. Where are all the young batsman ? Shield cricket has turned into a game where players are pulled out whenever they feel like it. Grade cricket is going backwards ! Who’s making these decisions ? (sic)," he wrote.
Not one LBW for the quick bowlers in the series and not 1 hundred by any batsman. Where are all the young batsman ? Shield cricket has turned into a game where players are pulled out whenever they feel like it. Grade cricket is going backwards ! Who’s making these decisions ?
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 8, 2019
Earlier, Warne had also slammed the ODI team selection, calling it "ridiculous". Australia have rested the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the three-match series against India starting in Sydney on January 12.
Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon were recalled. Warne put out his own squad, on Twitter.
Last Updated Jan 8, 2019, 3:54 PM IST