‘May as well retire’: Mitch Starc hits back Shane Warne after criticism

Mitchell Starc has taken a thinly veiled swipe at his long-time critic Shane Warne as he declared he’d be force to retire if he kept listing to criticism from the Test match great.

Mitchell Starc has hit back at Shane Warne’s criticism. Picture: AAP

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Mitchell Starc has taken a thinly veiled swipe at his long-time critic Shane Warne as he declared he’d be force to retire if he kept listing to criticism from the Test match great.

Warne had his first crack at Starc the last time India toured in 2014 when he described his body language as “soft”.

But he amped the ante in the build-up to this week’s second Test as he attributed much of the blame for Australia’s first Test loss on Starc’s shoulders.

Mitchell Starc has hit back at Shane Warne’s criticism. Picture: AAP

Opening up for the first time since Warne’s exclusive News Corp column which described Starc’s form in Adelaide as “atrocious”, the Australian fast bowler flatly dismissed the condemnation dished out by the spin king.

“I still don’t know what he said. I’ve been told about it but if I keep listening to Warnie, I may as well retire,” Starc said on Fox Cricket’s 360 program.

“I’ll just keep going about my stuff as I have done over the week.

“I was pretty happy with how I went last week. Take four overs out of the 42 that I bowled and I was very happy with how it came out. I stuck to my plans and did my job for the team. I didn’t change anything through the week.

“I didn’t try to bowl any differently the last few days but we didn’t really talk any cricket. I’ve just gone about my preparations as I have any other week.”

Shane Warne continued his attack on Starc after the Adelaide Test. Picture: Getty

Starc finished with figures of 2-79 from 24 overs in his first innings in Perth.

Warne was again critical of Starc and the Australian quick’s use of the second new ball, as he was in Adelaide.

“2nd new ball again an issue for the Aussies!” tweeted Warne.

Nathan Lyon starred with figures of 5-67 – all taken on day three – and praised the performance of the Australian bowlers.

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