Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne was not happy with Cricket Australia’s (CA) decision to select Steve Smith as the vice-captain of the Australian team again. Warne has also said that he doesn’t understand why someone like David Warner can’t lead the team again when he was also involved in the 2018 ball-tampering saga alongside Smith.

Ahead of the Ashes 2021, Tim Paine has stepped down as the Test captain after an off-field scandal made headlines. Following his decision, CA named Pat Cummins the new captain and Smith as his deputy as well. While explaining why he didn’t like this decision, Shane Warne shared his views on foxsports.com.au.

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He said: “I think how can a captain on his watch (allow) Sandpaper Gate (to) happen and a player like David Warner, who has got the best cricket brain, suddenly never be able to be a leader but the captain, where it happened on his watch, is allowed to become the vice-captain. It doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever.”

Shane Warne continued: “Now I’m for all people who make mistakes, and I made more than most. But there are some mistakes that you make, like in this situation, but I think your second chance is being able to play again because if you think about it, he allowed someone to put sandpaper down their pants and try to shine the ball. I mean, how do you do that under your watch as captain.”

The Ashes 2021-22 will begin on 8 December 2021 at the Gabba in Brisbane.

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“They won’t make Steve Smith captain, they can’t do that, I wouldn’t have thought they’ll do that. I don’t agree with him being vice-captain, I just don’t agree with that. I like Steve Smith, I’ve got nothing against him, I consider him a friend, but as far as a leadership position goes, I don’t see how they can possibly make that appointment. I was disappointed with Cricket Australia that they did. They may as well throw out the code of conduct out the window or rewrite it,” Shane Warne concluded.