After day one of the Gabba Test the Australian cricket team, ravaged by the Brisbane heat and a number of player injuries, have taken fire both on and off the field, with Shane Warne labelling Aussie spearhead Mitchell Starc as "soft".
The former Aussie spin king demanded more aggression from the Australian bowlers after a day that saw the Indian team revel in hot and humid conditions and Australian bowlers and fielders seek treatment for a number of injuries and heat fatigue.
"He has to change his body language, it needs to be stronger - he looks a bit soft," Warne said of Starc. Starc finished the day with figures of 0/56 from 14 overs and only one maiden, not the worst figures of the Australian bowling attack in tough conditions.
Warne is likely to receive some words from Australian coach and friend Darren Lehmann after Lehmann labelled the former spinner's comments as "harsh" at the press conference held after play.
"Soft. He used those words?" Lehmann said, when asked about Warne's comments.
"That's very harsh...I will take it up with Shane myself."
To literally add insult to injury, day one saw India finish at 4/311, the highest score by a foreign team batting first at the Gabba since 1931. Indian opener Murali Vijay scored a clinical and patient 144, Ajinkya Rhane looking well set and comfortable on 75 not out, with captain MS Dohni still to come to the crease.
Dohni missed the first Test due to injury and will be keen to make a mark at the Gabba, a ground the Indians have never won at. They've played six Tests there since 1947 for four losses and a draw.
The Australian team on the other hand saw their players breaking down and seeking treatment on a regular basis. Mitchell Marsh left the field shortly after lunch with a hamstring injury, but not before he snagged the first wicket.
He was followed shortly after by Starc, who sought treatment for heat distress, but then returned to the field late in the afternoon. Test debutant Josh Hazlewood also left the field late in the day with leg cramps but finished with figures of 2/44 and five maidens from his 15.2 overs.
Mitchell Johnson had a luckless day with no wickets and two dropped catches, and also battled heat fatigue and an ongoing finger injury. Nathan Lyon was the only other bowler to grab a wicket but was clearly the Indians' bowler of choice, finishing the day with figures of 1/87 and one maiden from 20 overs.
Warne took to social media on Wednesday night to express his displeasure at the coverage his comments had received, blaming journalists for sensationalism and not reporting the facts.
What rubbish reporting & sensationalism re my comments on Starc. I said he needs a better presence & stronger body language when bowling... — Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne)
December 17, 2014
And that it looks a bit soft & a bit easy after he bowled 3 overs, nothing to do with heat or anything else. Poor journalism, facts plse ! — Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne)
December 17, 2014
