ID :
37317
Thu, 12/25/2008 - 12:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/37317
The shortlink copeid
Warne disappointed with criticism of Aussie team
Melbourne, Dec 24 (PTI) The Australian cricket team's
supremacy is being challenged like never before, conceded spin
legend Shane Warne but insisted that even in the face of
tougher competition, it was too early to write off the world
champions.
"I was disappointed in some of the speculation about the
Australian team, and the criticism it received," Warne wrote
in his column for 'The Herald Sun', reacting to Australia's
loss in the Perth Test where they failed to defend a mammoth
414 runs.
"Let's remember it was just the first of three Test
matches, not a series loss. Both teams played outstandingly
well, but South Africa was just too good over the five days.
There is no disgrace in being outplayed," he reasoned.
Warne said instead of criticising the Aussies, all credit
should be given to Graeme Smith and his men for their record
chase.
"Santa delivered an early Christmas present to the
tourists with their marvellous run chase on the now
not-so-bouncy and fast "flat road" in Perth.
"It was an amazing chase and the record books back that
up," he said.
Warne also threw his weight behind under-fire Aussie
skipper Ricky Ponting, saying that he has it in him to lead
the team out of the current period of uncertainty.
"It is a test of the Australian team's spirit, hunger and
attitude - how driven and hurt by the loss they are, both
individually and as a group," Warne said.
"I have total confidence in Ricky Ponting and the boys.
They will come out swinging like a Jeff Fenech haymaker and be
ready come Boxing Day," he said referring to the second Test
against South Africa here starting December 26.
Warne also had a word of advice for struggling pace
spearhead Brett Lee, urging him to bowl as fast as he can
without bothering about the economy rate.
"After all the criticism Brett Lee has copped after the
Perth Test, I have some simple advice for him: Just go out
there and let it rip," he said.
"Brett is a champion, so write him off at your peril. His
mindset though has to be attack, not keep it tight. He
must look to take wickets and bowl fast rather than worry
about the economy rate," he suggested. PTI PM
RKM
NNNN
supremacy is being challenged like never before, conceded spin
legend Shane Warne but insisted that even in the face of
tougher competition, it was too early to write off the world
champions.
"I was disappointed in some of the speculation about the
Australian team, and the criticism it received," Warne wrote
in his column for 'The Herald Sun', reacting to Australia's
loss in the Perth Test where they failed to defend a mammoth
414 runs.
"Let's remember it was just the first of three Test
matches, not a series loss. Both teams played outstandingly
well, but South Africa was just too good over the five days.
There is no disgrace in being outplayed," he reasoned.
Warne said instead of criticising the Aussies, all credit
should be given to Graeme Smith and his men for their record
chase.
"Santa delivered an early Christmas present to the
tourists with their marvellous run chase on the now
not-so-bouncy and fast "flat road" in Perth.
"It was an amazing chase and the record books back that
up," he said.
Warne also threw his weight behind under-fire Aussie
skipper Ricky Ponting, saying that he has it in him to lead
the team out of the current period of uncertainty.
"It is a test of the Australian team's spirit, hunger and
attitude - how driven and hurt by the loss they are, both
individually and as a group," Warne said.
"I have total confidence in Ricky Ponting and the boys.
They will come out swinging like a Jeff Fenech haymaker and be
ready come Boxing Day," he said referring to the second Test
against South Africa here starting December 26.
Warne also had a word of advice for struggling pace
spearhead Brett Lee, urging him to bowl as fast as he can
without bothering about the economy rate.
"After all the criticism Brett Lee has copped after the
Perth Test, I have some simple advice for him: Just go out
there and let it rip," he said.
"Brett is a champion, so write him off at your peril. His
mindset though has to be attack, not keep it tight. He
must look to take wickets and bowl fast rather than worry
about the economy rate," he suggested. PTI PM
RKM
NNNN
