Ashes 2021 LIVE: Steve Smith – Shane Warne- Australia vice-captain Steve Smith contacted spin legend Shane Warne after the latter’s harsh remarks on his return to the leadership role. The interaction comes a month after Warner said that Smith should never captain Australia again after the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018. Follow Ashes 2021 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Ashes 2021 LIVE: Steve Smith calls Shane Warne for remarks on his vice-captaincy status, says, ‘You’re a bit harsh on me, aren’t you’
“I spoke to Steve Smith. He messaged me and said, ‘Jeez, you’re a bit harsh on me aren’t you,” Warne told Fox Sports.
“I was happy Steve Smith contacted me because I consider him a friend. We’ve worked together at the Rajasthan Royals. We’ve got a respect for each other and it was nice of him to actually ring me and say, ‘Mate, why did you think that?’’ he added.
“I told him my point of view and he said, ‘I understand it and I’m sure a lot of people have that point of view too. But it doesn’t mean we don’t like each other, so we respect each other and I like Steve Smith, how could you not? He’s a great guy, he’s one of the best Test batsmen in the world, if not the best in the Test arena, so I think that’s how it should be,” he stated further.
In an interview, Warne had even said that there would be outrage if Steve Smith became captain if Pat Cummins miss even a single Test. “I think how can a captain on his watch (allow) Sandpaper Gate (to) happen. I don’t agree with him being vice-captain, I just don’t agree with that,” Warne had said.
Ashes 2021 LIVE: Steve Smith calls Shane Warne for remarks on his vice-captaincy status, says, ‘You’re a bit harsh on me, aren’t you’
Shane Warne shocked at England’s decision to rest Anderson & Broad
Meanwhile, Warne was also surprised at England’s decision to rest experienced pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad. The move left England without 1156 Test wickets of experience with their two greatest pace bowlers Anderson (632) and Broad (524) on the sidelines.
“It’s huge. It’s one of those things, you would have thought the think tank of the England squad would have been, ‘Let’s hit Australia first up’. It looks overcast at the Gabba, the pitch looks green, Anderson and Broad together, strike while the iron’s hot. Broad’s had the wood on Warner so if I was going to rest them and keep them for as many Test matches as you can, play them in the first couple,” Warner was quoted as saying by Fox Sports.
“I would have thought play the Gabba, play at Adelaide and then if you have to mix and match a bit and rest and rotate, then so be it. Australia lost a Test at the Gabba last summer (against India) for the first time in over 30 years, I would have been hitting them right between the eyes with Anderson and Broad but unfortunately they (England) have decided to rest them,” he added.
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