Shane Warne: Australia squad has so many open slots

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  • Top man: Warne believes Steven Smith is the perfect choice as Australian captain.

    Shane Warne believes there are more Test positions up for grabs now in the Australian Test team than there has been for the past 30 years.

    Following an unexpected 3-2 Ashes series defeat in England last month and the retirement of captain Michael Clarke, Australia have set about rebuilding their side for upcoming series against New Zealand and West Indies on home soil.

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    And leg-spin legend Warne, who claimed 708 wickets in 145 Tests, insists it is now open season on the selection front as new captain Steve Smith and coach Darren Lehmann mull over the task of moving Australia forward – with the likes of Matthew Wade and Usman Khawaja tipped to earn recalls.

    “I think it’s been 30-odd years since Australia have had this many spots open and available for people,” the 46-year-old told Sport360 at the launch of the Icons of Cricket 2016 golf tournament in Dubai.

    “There’s probably only a few players: David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon and one or two others that are confirmed and pick themselves.

    “But apart from that there’s plenty of spots open for grabs.”

    Warne criticised Australia’s selectors during the recent Ashes for picking Peter Siddle over young pacer Pat Cummins in the last Test at the Oval while he also hit back at former team-mates who fired parting shots at the retiring Clarke, a close friend of the Victorian.

    But Warne now insists Australia can get back to their best next month Down Under if they are able to produce better performances than they mustered against Alastair Cook’s men.

    “England would have been happy that they won but both teams did not really play that well in the Ashes. It ended up as 3-2 and it was really a case of ‘who was the worst team as opposed to who was better’. Australia played bad too many times in crucial moments, that’s why England ended up winning. I think Australia can bounce back,” he added.

    And Australia’s hopes of developing a rejuvenated Test line-up are boosted by having Smith captain the side, according to Warne.

    “Steve Smith is a good cricketer, he’s in good form and he’s captained well so far. I think the team is in safe hands under him. It will be interesting to see what that first team is like during the Brisbane Test.”

    Although he retired from international cricket back in 2007, Warne is set for a hectic November on the field once again.

    The Australian has teamed up with India icon Sachin Tendulkar to take cricket to the United States in a three-match Twenty20 All Star series (Nov 4-14), where both greats of the game will captain rival teams.

    “This time next week we’re in New York to play our first game with a lot of the cricketers that are involved with the Icons of Cricket event in Dubai next year as well.

    “I have been practicing. I’ve gone back to club cricket and played a bit there. I slogged 40 with the bat and I think I got 2-20 and 2-30 so I took a few wickets as well. I couldn’t practice for a few days after that. But I’m back and doing my strengthening so I feel in pretty good shape really.”

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