Shane Warne, a former Australian great, has said that the national squad is no longer feared, pointing out a number of flaws ahead of the Ashes series. Shane Warne pointed out that, while England has problems, Australia does not appear to be particularly strong.
Australia, who will defend the urn at home later this year, hasn’t been at their best in recent years. Their last two series losses to India on home soil have left the team with a lot of unanswered questions. Tim Paine, the skipper, will be aware that he is on borrowed time.
Shane Warne revealed to Fox Cricket that England has struggled in Australia over the last decade. The Victorian, on the other hand, indicated that the hosts have a lot to deal with.
“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
As a result, Warne believes Mitchell Starc, David Warner, and Tim Paine have had underwhelming performances and are no longer as dangerous as they once were.
“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, Hazlewood’s bowling well. But apart from that, we’ve got Warner not making a run. Who’s he going to open with? Labuschagne and Smith at three and four, but who’s going to bat at five? Green is still a young player that looks pretty good. The 145-Test veteran said
‘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.” he added
For the past two years, Labuschagne has been Australia’s finest batsman at home. The 2019 Ashes series was the right-handed batsman’s breakthrough series, and he has been practically unstoppable since then.
Shane Warne went on to say that now every team on the road to Australia believes they can beat them. Despite characterizing the visitors’ hitting unit as poor, the 52-year-old warned against underestimating it.
Ben Stokes
“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. I look at England and I think their batting looks really weak. But Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler has this form and suddenly they’re looking pretty good.” He opined
England’s late call-up of all-rounder Ben Stokes seemed to have bolstered them significantly. The urn will, however, need a heroic effort to reclaim.
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