Tuesday 21 November 2017 06:45, UK
Shane Warne has questioned Australia's "confused" selection policy ahead of the Ashes and insists England won't fear the hosts in the first Test in Brisbane.
Australia included a number of surprises in their 13-man squad for the opening Test at the Gabba, selecting Tasmania's back-up gloveman Tim Paine as wicket-keeper, Shaun Marsh at No 6 and uncapped pair Cameron Bancroft and Chadd Sayers.
There is no place for either Matthew Wade - who has taken the gloves ahead of Paine at Tasmania this season - or Peter Nevill, while poor domestic form has cost England-born batsman Matt Renshaw a place in the squad.
Warne is puzzled by Paine's selection and insists England are in a stronger position ahead of the opening Test on November 23, despite their own selection worries.
"Australia look confused," said Warne, who took 708 wickets at Test level for Australia. "They're picking wicketkeepers that aren't even keeping for their state.
"To me, I think England are in a better situation going into that first Test than what Australia are."
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor disagrees with Warne and believes selectors have a clear plan for five-match Test series.
"I don't think they're confused," Taylor told cricket.com.au. "I think they've had Tim Paine higher on the pecking order than a lot of us did, and they've made a couple of form selections which I think are bold selections and good ones.
"I think they've made some tough decisions, bold ones, up front. They've said this is the side we believe is the most in-form side to beat England and we're going to pick it."
Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy has backed the decision to pick Bancroft ahead of Renshaw and recall Paine.
"The Australian cricket team is not a club side, it is a representative side," Healy told ESPNcricinfo. "You need to earn your spot to get in and stay in it. [Renshaw] hasn't coped well this summer.
"[Paine] is very consistent, his technique is good so he should be able to cope with the pressure of being catapulted into this Ashes series. He will do the job and he won't let Australia down."
