Legendary spinner Shane Warne feels Australia have a lot of ground to cover before the summer's Ashes series. Reviewing the Aussie Test squad, Warne said that paceman Mitchell Starc is "nowhere" and expressed concern over David Warner's dry spell with the bat.
The spin icon believes no one fears the "almighty Australia" anymore, adding that neither Marcus Harris nor Usman Khawaja would be an ideal opening choice for the Tim Paine-led camp.
“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,” Warne told Fox Cricket.
“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, (Josh) Hazlewood’s bowling well.
Australia's opening woes
“But apart from that, we’ve got (David) Warner not making a run. Who’s he going to open with? (Marnus) Labuschagne and (Steve) Smith at three and four, but who’s going to bat (at) five? (Cameron) Green is still a young player that looks pretty good. 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," Warne further said.
Seeing Australia's poor show against India at home made Warne caution them about England's prowess. Star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who had taken an indefinite break from all forms of cricket to focus on his mental health, has also been added to the mix, making England a threatening side to square off against.
“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 said.
Ex-Aussie batter Mark Waugh also echoed Warne's sentiments about the English side but picked Australia as the winners of the Test series.
“I can see England being competitive in a few tests – maybe the Adelaide Test where it’s going to swing with the pink ball, so I think they’re a threat there. (But) I don’t think their spin’s a threat at all. Australia should win," said Waugh.
