This was published 9 years ago
Australian selector Mark Waugh dismisses Shane Warne's criticism of coach Darren Lehmann as unfair
By Ronny Lerner
Australian selector Mark Waugh has described Shane Warne's accusation that coach Darren Lehmann is overstepping his mark within the team as "unfair".
In a scathing interview on Sydney radio on the weekend, Warne also asserted that captain Michael Clarke had more to do with the team's resurgence in the past 15 months than Lehmann.
Shane Warne and Darren Lehmann in 2004.Credit: Getty Images
"It was Michael Clarke who taught them how to win, you know they had three or four different coaches, Darren Lehmann's come on and put a bit of icing on the cake, he's actually complemented Michael Clarke," Warne told 2GB.
"He's got to be a little bit careful, he's got to stop walking out on the MCG and declaring," Warne said in reference to the late Boxing Day Test declaration which stand-in captain Steve Smith insisted on Sunday he was fully responsible for.
Australian selector Mark Waugh.Credit: Getty Images
"He's got to remember that's the captain's job, not the coach's job.
"Darren Lehmann understands the game of cricket, he's a good man manager and he's got to remember what it was like when he played and what the coaches were like.
"The captain's in charge and it's something Australian cricket has to look at with the way they want to do things."
But Waugh pointed out that Warne has never been a fan of the idea of coaches within cricket teams and was confident that the legendary spinner's comments wouldn't affect Australia's preparations for its blockbuster World Cup encounter with New Zealand on Saturday.
"Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but Warney has never liked coaches though. When he was playing he said the cricket team doesn't need coaches," Waugh told Triple M radio on Monday.
"I think it's a bit unfair on Darren Lehmann, he's done a great job since he's been there. The side's played very well since he's been coach.
"Look, once the team is on the field it's up to the captain isn't it, but you need a coach there to mould the team and get the right team spirit and the right way to play a game.
"Yes Michael Clarke has been great as captain but Darren Lehmann has had a good influence as well.
"Warney is getting paid to make comments, I don't think it would worry Darren Lehmann, he's an old-fashioned cricketer ... he knows where his job is in the team, there's no doubt about that, so I think they're just going to focus on the game in Auckland.
"The players and the coach, they will be nice and focused, they'll be in New Zealand all week this week for this game preparing. I don't think what Warney said will have any affect on the team."
Later on Monday, Warne took to Twitter to hose down his criticism of Lehmann and insisted the Australian coach would understand where he was coming from.
Warne also accused commentators of creating "an issue when there is nothing there".
The Aussies' last game against Bangladesh was rained out and Waugh conceded they were disadvantaged ahead of their match with red-hot New Zealand.
By the time the two sides meet, the Aussies will have only played one game in a fortnight as opposed to the Black Caps who have played three and are setting the pace in Pool A with three wins.
Brendon McCullum put on an incredible batting display in the Kiwis' last match against England, smashing 77 off just 25 balls, and Waugh said it would be crucial for Australia to dismiss the superstar batsman as early as possible.
"McCullum's batting was sensational so he's a real danger man but I'm sure we'll have some plans in place for him next weekend," Waugh said.
"We'd like to get him out early otherwise he can cause big damage and cause it quickly."
The Aussies are second in Pool A with three points.