Friday, May 3, 2024
Cricket

India should her power judiciously: Shane Warne

Australian spin legend Shane Warne asked India to use their growing power in world cricket judiciously to ensure that smaller nations are not ?trampled over? by its money power.

?I think it?s important that India ? which has become the centre of world cricket ? uses her power responsibly. We don?t want the smaller nations to be trampled over in the search for more revenue,? Warne wrote in his column for ?The Daily Telegraph?

Warne also preached a more balanced contest between the bat and ball.

?On the field, the big thing I?m looking for is a better balance between bat and ball. No one wants Test matches where 500 plays 450. We all need to play less cricket, and that way the groundsmen will have more time to prepare good sporting wickets that give everyone ? bowlers included ? a fair go,? he said.

Warne also said that Sachin Tendulkar was his most admired cricketer.

?It has to be Sachin, because of the seemingly effortless way he deals with the pressure of a billion people hanging on his every move. He never puts a toe out of line off the field, and never queries an umpire?s decision on it.

?We have been good friends for a while ? even if it?s not so friendly when we are out in the middle ? and one of the pleasures of playing in the IPL has been the chance o spend a little time with him,? he said.

Warne also batted for a window for the IPL.

“I look at the IPL with fun and with the wish that the ICC, would say no international cricket for six weeks and every cricketer is available to play. That will help in breaking down barriers in world cricket about sledging and all those sorts of things and everyone is friends,” said Warne.

“There are a lot of good things about the IPL, hope that continues. As long as the nucleus of the team is the same, the fans will have to get used to the players, IPL is very good for Indian cricket and world cricket,” he declared.

Warne said he is looking out for a short stint as a consultant with the Royals.

“Royals will be very good next year if the international boys fire with guys like (Ajinkya) Rahane, (Ashok) Meneria (there). Rahul
(Dravid) plays well at the top. Young Ankit Chavan (left arm spinner) bowled beautifully tonight, probably had Sachin out twice. I think they will go all the way next year,” he said.

“At the end of the day I think IPL is about promoting young cricketers in India. We have done probably better than any other team in the competition with that. To win the second-most games after Chennai with the teams we had for four years was an outstanding effort from all our guys in the squad,” Warne said.

“I wouldn’t be here as a coach for the entire tournament. No point being here for seven weeks and don’t play. But I can see myself in a
consultancy sort of a role…may be ten days pre tournament or a week in the middle or a week in the end. That might be with the Rajasthan Royals.

“In the next 12 months I might not be associated (with Royals), it may be somebody else. Royals will be my first priority. If I can’t come to an agreement with them I will look elsewhere and see whatever team (as consultant) for a week or so. If I don’t, I will play another poker tournament and watch on the telly,” he said about his future plans.

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