Aussies hit back at Shane Warne over brutal Steve Smith call

·Sports Reporter

31 October 2021 at 8:18 pm·3-min read

Aaron Finch has hit back at Shane Warne after he suggested Australia should drop Steve Smith. — Aaron Finch has brushed off suggestions from Shane Warne that the team should drop former Test captain Stave Smith from the T20 line-up. Pictures: Getty Images

Australia have their backs against the wall as far as their hopes of progressing through the T20 World Cup are concerned, but one thing the team isn't worried about is Shane Warne.

The former spin guru has been a vocal critic of the team's selections and tactics heading into the World Cup, with Warne once again taking to social media in the wake of Australia's dismal loss to England over the weekend.

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The eight-wicket loss was statistically one of the worst Australia had suffered in T20 cricket, prompting Warne to suggest selectors should consider replacing former Test captain Steve Smith with Mitch Marsh.

Smith grabbed at his groin after attempting to create a run out in the eight-wicket loss in Dubai, showing discomfort after a quick pick up and throw.

He stayed on the field, but for a brief moment the sight would have sent a scare through Tim Paine's mind back home ahead of the Ashes.

"He'll be fine," Australia's white-ball captain Aaron Finch said.

"He didn't mention anything. So I'm sure that he will be fine."

While few other than Finch were able to score against England, Smith top-scored in Australia's previous two matches, prompting the T20 captain to dismiss talk of the star batsman being dropped.

"That's just subjective, isn't it?" Finch responded when quizzed on Smith's selection.

"Everyone's got a different opinion on it. And that's okay, we thought we picked the team to to win the game tonight.

"It was not a reflection on how Mitch has been going at all, it was purely just a match-up."

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Also questioned was Australia's decision to send Glenn Maxwell out at No.4 in the third over during the powerplay, before he fell lbw for six.

Australia had both Marcus Stoinis and Matt Wade in their team, who have regularly opened in the Big Bash and the latter having regularly filled the role for Australia recently.

"When you've only got six specialist betters your backing your top six to get the job done," Finch said.

"So there's no issues there.

"Maxi has done extremely well in in the past. He's as destructive as anyone if he gets gets through the powerplay."

Aaron Finch is not concerned about the Australian team's injuries or form. — Aaron Finch brushed off injury concerns around Steve Smith after Australia's T20 drubbing at the hands of England. (Photo by Michael Steele-ICC/ICC via Getty Images) (ICC via Getty Images)

But what Finch won't cop is the suggestion Australia are not up to the task in T20 cricket.

Australia now face must-win games against Bangladesh and West Indies, as they battle with South Africa to progress out of their group alongside England.

"It wasn't too long ago that we were No.1 in the world," Finch said.

"So I still think that we're a very good team in T20 international cricket.

"Everyone's got their own opinion. So that doesn't doesn't really matter. What matters is results."

With AAP

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