Shane Warne has hit out at the Australia selectors for dropping off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for the first Ashes Test.
Australia Test legend says it was 'dumb' to drop spinner
Shane Warne has hit out at Australia selectors for dropping off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for the first Ashes Test against England.
Warne, who has recently backed Hauritz as Australia's number one spinner, used his Twitter account to label the decision "dumb".
Left-armer Xavier Doherty is now the only specialist spinner in the squad, although Marcus North and Steven Smith can also provide a spinning option.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch stated that Hauritz could "consider himself unlucky" to be omitted after claiming 38 wickets at an average of 29.65 in nine Tests on home soil.
Callum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja and Ryan Harris have also been omitted as the squad was trimmed from 17 to 13, while batting duo North and Mike Hussey have been retained despite recent struggles. Warne believes Hauritz should also be given another chance.
Harsh
"I think it's very, very harsh on Hauritz, he deserved first crack at Poms. Nothing against X (Doherty) or Smith I wish them luck," Warne tweeted.
"What happens if Smith or X don't do well - back to Hauritz?? That seems dumb to me. Got it wrong way around the selectors!
"I think some of the batsmen should have been dropped if they use the same selection criteria to Hauritz. Let's hope we are all wrong.
"Not a bad record in Australia, Hauritz. Over four wickets a test... Good average of 29... Wow, it's a big call."
Warne returned to his account later on to clarify his comments, saying he will be fully behind the team regardless of the selection.
"As Australians we can all have a go at selectors etc, which is part and parcel of there (sic) job. Once Ashes starts we should all support the 11," he added.
