"I don't see why this bits-and-pieces player is in team" - Shane Warne suggests two changes to England team for 4th Test
Despite their massive win over India at Headingley, Shane Warne believes England could still do with a little chopping and changing. The former Australian leg-spinner has suggested a couple of changes in their playing XI for the fourth Test at The Oval, including benching "bits-and-pieces" all-rounder Sam Curran and a call-up for Zak Crawley.
Sam Curran, the Player of the Series on India's 2018 tour of England, has been far from impressive this time round. In the last three Tests, he has picked up just three wickets at an average of 79.33 and 74 runs at 18.50.
Shane Warne said he would like to see someone more "specific" for the next Test, either pacer Mark Wood or one of the specialist spinners from among Jack Leach and Matt Parkinson.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Warne said:
"I don’t think Curran plays [in the next Test]. As the fourth seamer batting at No.8, he hasn’t scored a hundred or taken a five-for, I don’t see what he is in the team for. He is a good cricketer but a bit “bits-and-pieces” for Test cricket. I would like to see something more specific, whether that’s Wood or a spinner, if it is going to turn. Maybe a Leach or a Parkinson."
Shane Warne observed that the hosts have been strengthened by the addition of Dawid Malan. He, however, added that the lineup would get a further fillip if "talented" right-hander Crawley took guard at the top of the order in the fourth Test.
"[Dawid] Malan is an experienced player with talent, but, more importantly, a hunger. He said he never gave up hope and still had a passion for Test cricket and I thought he went out there and did a great job. The side just looks better with Malan at No.3, although I would have Zak Crawley opening the batting as I think he is a talented player with a lot to offer. Him opening and Malan at No.3 and that batting lineup suddenly looks very good."
It will be interesting to see if England do ring in the changes. The hosts tried a completely new opening pair at Headingley, and both Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed put up crucial half-centuries in the team’s only innings to lay the foundation for the innings-and-76-run triumph.
Don't criticize India's batting, say well done to England's bowlers: Shane Warne
Shane Warne lauded the home side, particularly heaping praise on bowlers Ollie Robinson and James Anderson. He added that instead of jumping the gun to criticize India's batting, one should say "well done" to England's bowling attack.
"England were just relentless [at Headingley]. If they did overpitch or bowl a bit wide, they were back on it next ball and hunted in packs. [James] Anderson and [Ollie] Robinson were as good as it gets – the ball was talking and they were challenging techniques. I don’t think it was bad batting. Sometimes we are too quick to criticise a batting side when they fall over and in this case I think we have to say well done to England."
The fourth Test will be played at The Oval in London from Thursday, September 2.