Shane Warne wants every Test to go pink, Mitchell Starc down on one knee again for superstar wife
Shane Warne suggests a radical change for Test cricket as Mitch Starc cut down to size by the Aussie women’s cricket team – catch the latest cricket news here.
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Leg-spin legend Shane Warne has backed the introduction of pink balls during traditional Tests in a massive vote of confidence for innovation.
Warne, noted for thinking outside the square, believes the pink ball makes for better viewing than red kookaburra balls offering little encouragement to the bowlers.
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Pink balls – pioneered by South Australian Cricket Association chief executive Keith Bradshaw when Marylebone Cricket Club secretary – were introduced for the inaugural day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide during 2015.
“I think the pink ball should be trialled in normal Test matches,” Warne told SEN Breakfast.
“It is actually so much easier for the fans to see the ball, it shows up on the TV a lot better. For the crowd, it’s sometimes hard to pick up the red ball especially later in the day and the pink ball really stands out.
“The pink ball seems to do a little bit more and the red Kookaburra ball has stopped swinging and seaming. I wonder if it’s worth trailing in a normal Test match during the daylight and see what it is like.”
India this month hosted its inaugural day-night Test against Bangladesh to sold-out crowds at a Eden Gardens venue draped in pink. Either way, cricket will be seeing more of the pink ball that was once pilloried by players including Mitchell Starc for being hard to see or scuffing too easily.
MITCH STARC’S SUPERSTAR WIFE CUTS HIM DOWN TO SIZE
Mitchell Starc is keen to support wife and Australian keeper-batsman Alyssa Healy wherever he can but has been cut down to size by her teammates.
Towering spearhead Starc has been banned from standing up for throwdowns at Australian women’s team practice. Starc’s 197cm height is regarded as too dangerous for throwdowns.
“Mitchell Starc must kneel down and give throw downs,” revealed News Corp cricket writer Peter Lalor.
DOCO CAPTURES ‘BALLISTIC’ LANGER
Justin Langer is getting used to his own space again after a warts and all documentary showcasing his initial 18 months as Australian coach.
Video guru Andre Mauger played a secret but integral part in Australia’s rise from its Cape Town nadir to Ashes retention in England this year.
Langer and his men are two Tests into life without a camera crew marshalled by Mauger at their side for every bump and blow up along the journey.
“He was there at my first press conference as coach with this camera, I wondered who he was. I didn’t even know anything about the team doco,” said Langer of the pesky, bespectacled camera man turned cult-figure who became a part of the furniture.
“At times it was a bit claustrophobic. We had to send him out of the room for some things. However, he would have a joke of the day for us every morning, a comedian.”
The documentary to air next year shows Langer going ballistic after Australia lost a one-day game to England in Cardiff in 2018.
“My 18-year-old daughter said it was the first time she seen me angry. I got in trouble for swearing,” conceded Langer.
Test skipper Tim Paine noticed a change in presentation from his men once filming finished and approach from their coach.
“Our meetings haven’t shortened and blokes don’t turn up with the hair done and nice clothes. The guys actually miss the camera man. Everyone was very sharp before,” said Paine.
“I am someone who has always watched American sports documentaries and getting inside the inner sanctum. It is a great insight into the Australian team for fans.
“It was bit awkward at first and JL would hold back a bit but they got the right man (Mauger) for the job.”
PAKISTAN PUT FAITH IN ANOTHER UL-HAQ
Pakistan called up Imam-ul-Haq for the second Test and hopes the opener can replicate the run-scoring feats of a famous nephew.
Imam is the nephew of former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq who made 8830 runs at 49.6 in 120 Tests.
Imam smacked a ton on one-day debut for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi but has averaged 28 over 10 Tests.