Shane Warne believes Australian cricket team ‘desperately needs’ Steve Smith, David Warner back

Australian cricket great Shane Warne believes the national team needs the services of banned batsman Steve Smith and David Warner as soon as possible.

Smith and Warner were handed 12-month suspensions after confessing to ball-tampering during the third Test against South Africa earlier this year.

“I still think they’ll be back, we need them, we’re desperate for them. Have a look at the Australian side at the moment, we’re lacking in batting so we desperately need them,” Warne told Fox Sports News according to an article on the ICC’s official website.

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“We sort of want to rush them back but they’ll do their time, they’ll pay their penance, their 12 months, and then they’ll be back and be better than ever.”

“I don’t think any of the batsmen have really consolidated themselves … all of their spots are up for grabs, the all-rounder’s spot is up for grabs,” he added.

Captaincy woes

Warne also didn’t mince words when asked about new skipper Tim Paine, who’s had a less than ideal start to life at the helm of the side - Australia have lost all six games (one Test against South Africa and five ODIs in England) under Paine’s leadership.

“The Australian way is always to pick your best team. There’s a lot of talk about ‘should Tim Paine be in the side’. He’s the captain at the moment.

“We as Australians should always pick our best team and then pick our captain and vice-captain from that. I don’t think we should just make a captain and then fit a side around him.

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“I want to see us pick the best side possible. If Tim Paine’s in the best side and he’s the best guy to be captain, then make him captain.”

Warne also offered an opinion on who he thinks should lead the side: off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

“He’s a senior player. He’s an experienced player in the side, (and) spinners generally think about the game pretty well. Nathan Lyon thinks about the game pretty well.”

First Published: Aug 16, 2018 14:16 IST