Not everyone can have the courage to tell Shane Warne to shut up but former Australia cricketer Chadd Sayers did exactly that. The former Aussie pacer slammed Warne for being critical of Australia batsman Usman Khawaja and pacer Mitchell Starc.
Khawaja, playing his first Test since the 2019 Ashes, scored a terrific century against England in the fourth Ashes Test. The southpaw played a superb knock of 137 off 260 deliveries to help his side in reaching a commendable total of 416 losing 8 wickets. Khawaja’s innings was comprised of 13 boundaries.
Sayers, slamming Warne wrote on Twitter, “Shane Warne keeps bagging his own Aussie players. Went hard at Starc - Wrong and now Uzzie - wrong #shutup".
Starc needs to find rhythm
Warne had earlier opined that Starc needs to find rhythm and some form and he is going to opt for another pacer Jhye Richardson.
“He needs to find a bit of rhythm and some form. He had a really poor [T20] World Cup. He’s just not bowling well enough. It’s too important at the Gabba. So I’m all for Jhye Richardson," Warne had previously commented.
And regarding Khawaja, Warne felt that bowling the southpaw would have been an easier task than facing Mitchell Marsh.
“Australia has been waiting a long time for Mitchell Marsh to come good and right at the moment he’s in the form of his life. For me, I just think as a bowler who would I rather bowl to, Khawaja or Mitchell Marsh? I’d much rather bowl to Khawaja," the 52-year-old legendary spinner said.
Solid partnership with Smith
Khawaja played a solid partnership of 115 runs with former Aussie skipper Steve Smith. The left-handed batsman did get a lifeline previously when he was dropped by England skipper Joe Root while batting at 28.
Mitchell Starc, on the other hand, is currently the highest wicket-taker in the ongoing Ashes Test series. Starc has till now claimed 24 wickets in the series at average of 19.64.
In reply to Australia’s 416/8, England openers looked solid enough after they managed to end the day’s play without losing a wicket and scoring 13 runs for their team.
