‘Un-Australian’: Shane Warne’s culture advice for whingeing Aussies

SHANE Warne says it is time to draw a line in the sand after sandpapergate and for the current crop of Australian cricketers to stop moaning and do everything in their power to restore pride to the game.

AUSTRALIAN cricket great Shane Warne doesn’t want the national team to turn in to New Zealand but fully expects the sport-wide re-set to make cricket fans proud of their side once again.

The spin king turned his attention to the tumultuous times in Aussie cricket after confirming he’s signed up for Foxtel’s broadcasting revolution and would help lead its coverage for the next six years.

Warne, the greatest Test wicket taker in Australian history, will join former teammates Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh and his first Australian captain Allan Border as a key cog in FOX Cricket’s coverage of all international and Big Bash cricket.

Shane Warne says Australia must stop whingeing. Picture: Michael Klein

Foxtel has partnered with Channel Seven in a $1.2 billion deal to broadcast cricket for the next six years and Warne has joined the FOX Cricket team after agonising over a decision to part ways with Channel Nine.

The new crew take over at a time of upheaval with Justin Langer appointed national coach, Tim Paine as captain and twin reviews in to the sport’s culture amid the fallout from the ball tampering scandal in South Africa.

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There will be a new home home of cricket this Aussie summer with FOX SPORTS to broadcast every Test, ODI and Big Bash clash. Join Warnie, Gilly and the team. SIGN UP NOW >

Warne maintained his belief that year-long bans for Steve Smith and Dave Warner were over the top, but said the spotlight it turned on the behaviour of the team could prove a necessary turning point.

“I’m not sure there were team culture problems … but I have noticed there is a lot of whingeing coming out of the Australian camp in recent times, about the opposition and things like that. I think that’s un-Australian, I have never really heard any Australian sides do that,” Warne told News Corp Australia.

“But I think it’s a great opportunity for everyone in world cricket to draw a line in the sand and say “how do we want to play the game?”, “what do we stand for?”, “what’s the style of play we want?”.

Warne believes David Warner and Steven Smith’s bans were over the top.

“I don’t think we want to play like the Kiwis, which I heard someone say. I mean c’mon. The Kiwis, no thankyou.

“But we probably want something in between the Kiwis and Australia at the moment. I want us to play hard but fair, tough, uncompromising cricket, but shake hands and play in the spirit of the game and show good sportsmanship.”

Warne threw his support behind Australian cricket’s reset and endorsed new coach Justin Langer and fully expected the trio of banned players; Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft, could play for Australia again.

He said he hoped that as a combination, the new broadcasters and the new look Aussie team, could help make cricket fans “proud of the Australian cricket team again”.

Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist will team up for Fox Sports’ revamped cricket team. Picture: Michael Klein

“I think we are desperate for Warner and Smith. And I think they are good people, they just made a mistake. It was a big one, but you have to look at what sort of people they were,” Warne said.

“I think all three of them … will go away, think about their actions, about what sort of player they want to come back as.

“And I know what Justin (Langer) is like as a person, he’s a hard worker, he’s disciplined, he instils toughness in guys, he’ll have great values with the group.

“As a figure head he’s a good appointment, and it has come at the right time. Hopefully he’ll help the team make us all proud of Australian cricket team again. That’s what we want.”