At a press conference on the eve of the ongoing Fatullah Test match Shane Warne reiterated his earlier views on Murali's 'minnow' wickets. Apparently it mattered little that the Sri Lankan mystery man averages 5.7 wickets a Test even without these 'easy' wickets. If not better judgement then that piece of stat should have kept Warnie quiet as he himself averages 4.8 wickets a Test (overall). [We probably need not get into the pros and cons of Murali's and Warnie's fortunes as those are besides the point being made].
More surprising is a man of Warne's stature and experience actually committing the folly of casting aspersions on competitive abilities of a team even before playing his first Test against them! Going by reputation was always the surest way any sportsperson ever knew to earn himself a BIG fall. Things were not too different this time either. Warne went though 20 wicketless overs in the Bangladesh first innings at better than 5 runs an over, a first for him in any innings that had him bowling 10 overs or more.
As Ravi Shastri opined on television at the tea break during first day's play, Warne is a competitor to the core and can surely be counted upon to come back in the 2nd innings and / or the 2nd Test. The pointed lesson though should not be lost on a champion; and Shane Warne without an iota of doubt remains one, notwithstanding his indiscretions.
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