Shane Warne’s Gabba Test switch call proven right, Aussie’s reaction says it all

Shane Warne has once again been proven right, with the whimpering end to the Gabba Test proving the Spin King’s theory.

Cricket Australia should have listened to the late great Shane Warne.

The third Test in Brisbane has been ruined by poor weather with rain delays coming in thick and fast and leaving the contest headed towards a draw on day 5.

But if Warne’s advice had been taken on board, the Aussies could be on their way to a 2-1 series lead instead of being locked up at 1-1.

Watch every game of the BBL live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

In January 2022, Warne suggested swapping the Brisbane and Sydney Tests around to avoid both being plagued by bad weather.

The Sydney Test, which takes place in early January, has continually been hit with rain delays with calls pouring in every year to move it to earlier in the summer.

“It’s better weather (at the start of the season) than it is in the first week of January,” Warne said at the time.

“It just seems to always rain in the Test match. It’s such a beautiful venue, such a beautiful city. Imagine if the tourists, and any opposition team, came here to Sydney and had 10 days on the harbour and loosening up, getting ready and then play the first Test in Sydney rather than the fourth Test always in the New Year.

“Maybe it’s time for a change. I know Australia won’t want to lose that first Test match in Brisbane, but it hasn’t been that well attended the Brisbane Test match either. Whereas maybe Brisbane could be the New Year Test match and Sydney could be the first one.”

The players had to come off several times a day during to rain. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

This was an all too frequent sight during the Gabba Test. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Despite the pleas from Warnie and many within the cricket community, the SCG Test won’t be shifting anytime soon after it was locked into the New Year schedule until 2030 as part of a new deal.

Cricket Australia is departing from tradition, with the Gabba to go without a Test during the 2026-27 summer, for the first time since 1976-77.

“In Brisbane it is harder (to plan) because of the infrastructure. There is just uncertainty, so we’re not sure of the long-term solution,” CA chairman Mike Baird said.

“What we do know is the Gabba has a use-for-life that ends in 2030. We need a solution, and are working with the AFL as well on a long-term solution.

“We want a great venue in Brisbane, that can support Queensland Cricket and Australian cricket for years to come.”

Mitchell Starc’s reaction when the umpires stopped play due a light drizzle on Day 4 at the Gabba said it all.

The Aussie quick threw his head back in frustration and rolled his eyes, while gesturing as if to say, ‘Come on, not again’.

Despite Starc and Pat Cummins’ best efforts in the final session on Tuesday, India avoided the follow-on thanks to an entertaining 10-wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep.

India was eventually bowled out early on Day 5, only for the heavens to open before Australia could begin their second innings with the bat.

Mitchell Starc was all of us during the rain delays. Photo: Fox Cricket.

Shane Warne is a cricket Nostradamus. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The Spin King tragically died from a heart attack in 2022 aged 55, but he has repeatedly proved himself to be a cricket clairvoyant.

Warne’s freakish ability to read the game made him almost as good a commentator as he was a Test bowler, where he finished with 708 Test Wickets, including 60 at the Gabba, the most of any player.

Among his many predictions was a call all the way back in 2016 that Travis Head was going to go on to become a superstar of the game.

In 2011, while playing for the Melbourne Stars, Warnie predicted how he was going to dismiss Brendon McCullum live on air … moments later he delivered.

Fox Cricket commentator Mark Howard has pointed out how Warne’s prediction for spin to dominate T20 cricket will play out again this summer.

“T20 was supposed to be the death of spin, but Warnie always said, ‘No no. This won’t be the death of spin, this will be even better for spin’,” Howard said.

“And as per usual, the great man has been proven right. I look forward to seeing all the spinners and the mystery spinners that come out of different parts of the world. I’m really looking forward to seeing how spin will affect different parts of the BBL.”

Originally published as Shane Warne’s Gabba Test switch call proven right, Aussie’s reaction says it all