Former international spinner Shane Warne has hit out at the Australian cricket team, slamming the batting attack as the “worst he’s ever seen”.
The criticism comes after Australia suffered another middle-order batting collapse, this time in the first test against Pakistan in Dubai.
Australia is currently 136/3 in their second innings and need another 326 runs to win, which seems unlikely.
The legendary spin bowler said the team was visibly missing suspended players Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, sitting out bans for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
Smith and Warner are sitting out 12 months, while Bancroft was given a nine-month ban from the national side.
They will be eligible in time for the Cricket World Cup next May.
“We need them,” Warne told BBC Radio 5 Live. “I think Australia’s batting at the moment is the worst I have seen it.
“They need to get back the respect of the Australian public and that will only take time. It depends on how they come back and conduct themselves.
“But if they come back and make some hundreds, then all will be forgotten and we’ll be saying how much we missed them.
“Warner and Smith will definitely get back in, Bancroft too, and if you add them to [Usman] Khawaja and Shaun Marsh, the batting line-up looks a lot better.”
Warne believes Australia have lost the “fear factor” since England won the 2005 Ashes, but the next series against the old enemy is still delicately poised.
“I think Australia will give England a real run for their money next year,” said the 49-year-old.
“I don’t think England have feared Australia since they won the series in 2005, which they deserved to as the better side. Since then, England realised Australia can be beaten.
“Australia haven’t really got too many X-factor players, but I don’t think Australia really fear England too much now either, aside from Jimmy Anderson bowling with the Dukes ball.”
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