Shane Warne clears the air over Marnus Labuschagne comments

Shane Warne clears the air over his Marnus Labuschagne comments and reveals how the star can challenge the world’s best batsmen.

Shane Warne has addressed his Marnus Labuschagne comments.

I’m a big fan of Matthew Wade – but he desperately needs a big score at the Gabba.

Otherwise I think Ben McDermott will come in for Australia’s next Test match batting at No.5.

I know we’ve only got the Big Bash, but after watching McDermott bat over the last couple of seasons I think he is the next cab off the rank.

He has gone ahead of Travis Head and deserves a chance.

McDermott looks organised, is an aggressive player who looks to score, he’s got a good technique and he plays the quicks and the spinners just as well as each other.

He’s matured as a batsman and I think he’s ready to go.

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He’s also the perfect player to have on tour as well, as he is a back-up wicketkeeper, like Wade, too.

I think the selectors will try McDermott before they go back to Head.

I feel for Matthew Wade, because he’s been Mr Fix It and is a great team man.

But you’ve got to perform and one feels he needs a good score in Brisbane to survive.

No matter what happens in this Test, the highlight of the summer for me has been Cameron Green.

Matthew Wade’s Test career could be on the line at the Gabba. Picture: David Gray/AFP

He’s a real chance to be something special, but I think he’s got a bit to learn about how to bowl in Test cricket.

As the fifth bowler you’re generally going to bowl 8-10 overs a day, because the other four main bowlers will bowl around 20 each.

So he’s generally bowling when two guys are set and with an older ball.

In domestic cricket he probably bowls with a relatively new ball most of the time, so it’s a completely different role in Test cricket.

He just needs to work out that role, and he will over time and with more experience.

His batting has improved through the series, which is a great sign.

Cameron Green has been the highlight of the summer. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

We’ve only seen a glimpse, but enough to know that Green could be absolutely anything and the next big superstar of Australian cricket.

I think the Gabba is the best cricket wicket in the world.

For fast bowlers and spinners the bounce is just as important as pace or spin.

It offers some seam, it swings, it’s got pace and bounce and, whilst it’s hard to start an innings, once you get in it’s beautiful to bat on, and then the last few days it starts to spin big time.

So it’s got something for everyone.

The fielding in Brisbane on the fastest, bounciest pitch in Australia will once again determine who wins the Test match.

There’s a bit of a whisper we might see ‘Jeff’ – Nathan Lyon’s other ball, or version of the ‘Doosra’ – in his 100th Test.

Good luck, Gaz.

Thumbs up if we’ll see ‘Jeff’ in Brisbane. Picture: cricket.com.au

Australia will be really disappointed at not being able to bowl India out in 130-odd overs at the SCG, but I thought the bowlers gave it absolutely everything.

Pat Cummins bowled his heart out and showed why he’s the No.1 bowler in the world, Josh Hazlewood was awesome and Mitchell Starc wasn’t at his best but I still thought he bowled some wonderful spells.

Tim Paine will be disappointed for dropping a few catches, but I can’t remember too many bad days he’s had behind the stumps.

As for Steve Smith, what an overreaction to him shadow batting on the crease in Sydney.

That was just Smith doing Smith things.

There was no need for it, sure, but there was nothing untoward and I was very surprised by the reaction it got.

Shane Warne has addressed his Marnus Labuschagne comments.

All of a sudden Marnus Labuschagne (293 runs) and Smith (222) lead the series with the bat.

I think Labuschagne can challenge The Big Three – Kane Williamson, Smith and Virat Kohli – as the best batsman in the world, and he is currently fourth in the ICC rankings.

He is an outstanding player.

But Marnus bats best when he forgets all the exaggeration stuff, like calling, ‘No’, ‘Yes’ and ‘Wait on’ really loudly and waving his bat around.

I like it when he just bats – and that’s why I said to Andrew Symonds that he should just bat properly.

I’ve communicated with Marnus about what unfortunately went to air last week and I’d like to apologise for swearing on TV.

Marnus had no issue. He thought it was funny and had a laugh about it and so did his teammates. Andrew has also apologised to Marnus for what he said, too.

You’ve got to say well done to India for the guts, determination and courage the whole squad has shown since Virat Kohli left - they won in Melbourne and drew in Sydney.

If Hanuma Vihari didn’t get injured at the SCG - that run chase was absolutely on.

India celebrates one of the great saves in Test cricket at the SCG. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

India has been the best team in this series, and that sounds odd to say after they got bowled out for 36 in Adelaide.

But I reckon they’ve only lost five or six sessions for the whole series.

I hope India picks spinner Kuldeep Yadav, bats Ravichandran Ashwin at No.7 and plays five bowlers at the Gabba.

They are bruised and battered, but we’ve seen that this Indian team won’t give up.

We’ve seen so much character from this Indian side, and I think it’s the toughest Indian team that’s ever come to these shores.

With six players out injured and Kohli at home it’s really a matter of whoever is fit plays in this last Test.

I’m very impressed, but unfortunately I think they’re going to get blown away in Brisbane by a rampant Australian team who will be hurt from the draw in Sydney and where no Australian team has lost since 1988.

Mind you, we’ve thought that before during this series about this Indian side.

Bring on the Gabba and let’s rock and roll.

Originally published as Shane Warne clears the air over Marnus Labuschagne comments