Strauss is disrespecting Test game, fumes Warne
AUSTRALIA legend Shane Warne has criticised England and Andrew Strauss for allowing the captain to sit out the upcoming tour of
Bangladesh.
Skipper-in-waiting Alastair Cook will lead the side in two Test matches next month while Strauss recovers from a hectic first year as skipper.
Warne insists he is incredulous at England chiefs for devaluing the long form of the game and believes the decision could backfire against opponents he feels have been underestimated.
“I hope they are not taking Bangladesh too easy because they can be quite strong,” said the leg-spinner. “What if they win the first Test? Does Strauss fly out for the second?
“I hope it’s not the start of a trend. It’s a lack of respect for Test cricket. It’s disappointing that the captain of England decides to have a rest from a Test series; I can’t comprehend that.
“Any time you represent your country it’s special and I cannot understand how you can rest your captain.
“Maybe a one-day game because you play 40 or 50 a year, but you only play eight Test matches a year. It’s special.
“He’s got a style of captaincy and a new skipper can’t be Andrew Strauss, he’ll do it his way. So suddenly the players think ‘how are we going to play under Alastair Cook?’”