Australia Haven't Grabbed The Opportunities To Win The Series: Shane Warne

The legendary leg-spinner, Shane Warne has slammed Tim Paine’s tactics during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series against India. As things stand after stumps on Day 4 at Brisbane, the series is level – India needs to chase 328 and Australia needs to take 10 wickets to win the match and take the series.

However, Australia must win at the Gabba to take the Border-Gavaskar Trophy; otherwise, India would retain it. Hence, a draw would mean that India would take back the trophy with them having already won it in the last series. With rain expected on Day 5 and the kind of batting performances India has put in since the second Test match, the match and the series are heading towards a stalemate.

India has been the best team in this series: Shane Warne

Shane Warne acknowledges that the visitors have played better, however, also opines the hosts have been poor with some of their decisions. Shane Warne points out that Australia has failed to grab their chances and also feels that the captain hasn’t been wise with the tactical decisions.

As quoted by Fox Cricket, Shane Warne said, “I think India has been the best team in this series, but I think Australia has had so many opportunities to win this series, they just haven’t taken them. I think at times their tactics haven’t been good enough, and I suppose that’s got to come down to Tim Paine as captain.”

Shane Warne, who took 708 Test wickets, reckons Paine has spilt catches behind the stumps; Tim Paine dropped three catches on Day 5 in Sydney and other fielders also couldn’t grab the half-chances. Warne is surprised to envisage that Australia has to pull out a certain miracle to win the Test at Gabba, especially after being all over India in Adelaide.

After being all out for 36 in Adelaide, the Ajinkya Rahane led side won in Melbourne, batted out 131 overs in the fourth innings in Sydney, and are just a rain-curtailed day’s batting away from drawing the series.

“Why hasn’t he done certain things? He hasn’t had the best time behind the stumps. But it’s also the bowlers, it’s not just the captain. The bowlers are allowed to say what fields they want, what tactics they want. I’ve been surprised at Australia’s tactics, particularly yesterday and in Sydney at times,” Shane Warne added.

Also Read: Watch: Mohammed Siraj Gets A Standing Ovation By The Indian Contingent After He Claims His Maiden Five-Wicket Haul At The Gabba