The legendary Australian spinner, Shane Warne was quite unhappy after the announcement Australia’s One Day International (ODI) squad for the three-match series against India. He expressed his disappointment by saying that he “cannot believe” D’Arcy Short has been left out and stating that the recall of Peter Handscomb “does not make sense”.
Australia named its ODI squad in which they recalled the veteran players like Usman Khawaja, Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon competing with the axings of Chris Lynn and D’Arcy Short for headline space around the country.
Soon after the announcement, Warne named his own squad on Twitter and explained his selections to foxsports.com.au. He said, “I cannot believe that D’Arcy Short has been left out of the side. I don’t know what he’s done wrong. He can bowl and his batting at the top is dynamic. He’s in terrific form, and he and Finch make an awesome partnership at the top.”
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Given conditions in England have made 300+ scores at will since the 2015 World Cup, Warne suggested there was a lack of power hitting in the current squad.
Warne justified, “When you’re picking this team you want to look at some players you are interested in, but you’ve also got to look at those players with the World Cup in mind and the conditions you’re going to have in England. Those conditions are going to be flat wickets that will probably spin a bit, so you need clever bowlers and you need some bowlers with pace. And they’re little grounds. So a mixture of power hitting and people that can bat time; you need that right combination.”
These ridiculous selections must stop in all forms of Australian cricket – end of ! 😡
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 4, 2019
Alongside naming Short at the top of his batting order alongside Aaron Finch, Warne picked wicketkeeper Alex Carey at first drop, with Shaun Marsh coming in at No. 4, ahead of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and one of Ashton Agar or Mitchell Marsh depending on conditions.
On his omission of Handscomb, who played his ODI game in October 2017, Warne said it was simply a matter of the Victorian’s technique not being suited to international cricket — a point he has raised various times this summer.
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The legendary spinner further justified, “I don’t think it’s fair on Peter to keep putting him out into the international arena, even for the Sydney Test match here. Whether he makes 100 or 200, it’s still not the right selection or the right message that you’re sending to the rest of first-class cricketers. To say you haven’t got a technique that’s good enough for international cricket and you’re dropped, just like last year, and then you put him back in again a week later. It doesn’t make any sense.”
With the ball, Warne wanted James Pattinson to return to the squad with Tasmanian fast bowler Riley Meredith has received a maiden call-up, in an attack alongside the selected Jhye Richardson and Adam Zampa.
Just saw the Aust ODI squad that was announced & was absolutely staggered at some of the players that were left out & some of the inclusions – they don’t make any sense whatsoever. I was asked by @foxcricket to give my team – so here it is ! Thoughts ? Agree ? pic.twitter.com/4e6OMWWCWO
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 4, 2019
Describing his bowling options, Warne said, “I would have liked to see them go with a bit more youth and a bit more pace with the ball in Meredith and Pattinson to add to Jhye Richardson, I think those three are very good. I think Behrendorff with his left arm is okay, but I think there are better options. Lynn is there if you need a bit more power at the top, then I’ve got Nathan Lyon that I’d like to see with the white ball as well at some stage.”
Warne’s XI and Squad:
Playing XI : Aaron Finch (c), D’Arcy Short, Alex Carey (wk), Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Agar/Mitchell Marsh (depending on conditions), James Pattinson, Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith, Adam Zampa
In the squad: Chris Lynn and Nathan Lyon
