Shane Warne has accused the Australian selectors of lacking a clear strategy after the team were bowled out for just 65 by India.
The Aussies face England in their opening Champions Trophy game at Edgbaston in three days after being humiliated in yesterday’s warm-up game and Warne, their former leg-spinner, believes those picking the players are in a mess.
There are also serious concerns over the fitness of captain Michael Clarke, whose back condition has not improved with the Ashes starting in just over a month.
“It appears the selectors don’t know their best team,” said Warne. “By choosing all those [five] opening batsmen, it seems they don’t know the right mix.
“I have been frustrated with the selections for the past 12 to 18 months. They have picked players who have not performed well at international level, at first-class level. There are wonderful young players and good players who have not been selected.”
During Warne’s era, Australia were the dominant force in world cricket but their power has waned and England have taken three of the last four Ashes contests.
Should Clarke recover for the Ashes, which begin at Trent Bridge on July 10, Warne believes that the skipper and Shane Watson will hold the key to Australia’s batting.
Warne told BBC Sport: “Clarke is the most in-form Test batsman and Watson has matured. He’s at the age (31) when batsmen perform at their best and know how to prepare.
“He’s just played in the Indian Premier League and I think he’s hitting the ball better than he has in his life. We’ll see if he can produce that in international cricket.”
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Clarke’s recuperation is paramount for an Australian squad who lack much of the experience and class they possessed in years gone by.
England would have looked at their heavy defeat yesterday — and the news of Clarke’s problems — with interest as they prepared for today’s final NatWest Series match against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. England need to win to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash.
Batsman Ian Bell said: “Clarke has been an incredible player over the last 12 months. I’m sure they have the squad to deal with it but it’s interesting, with a lot of cricket coming up.”
