Shane Warne’s advice will haunt Cricket Australia – with Spin King proved right once again
- Shane Warne suggested swapping the Brisbane and Sydney tests
- Spin King made the suggestion because of the weather patterns
- The third test in Brisbane has been badly affected by rain
Had Cricket Australia heeded Shane Warne’s advice in 2022, the Australian team might have done much better against India in the third Test at the Gabba.
The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series is heading towards a draw on Day 5 after India were bowled out for 260 early on the final morning and rain washed out the rest of the session.
Australia have created a chance for a result, offering India a target of 275 with 54 overs to survive after a chaotic middle session.
Heavy cloud continues to surround the ground and more rain is forecast for Wednesday afternoon. A draw is the most likely outcome.
But if Warne was listened to, the Aussies could lead the series 2-1 instead of it being 1-1.
Cricket legend Shane Warne suggested the Brisbane and Sydney tests should be swapped
The Gabba Test is heading towards a draw after rain was postponed everywhere
Speaking months before his death in 2022, Warne suggested the tests in Sydney and Brisbane should be switched due to weather patterns.
“The weather is better (at the start of the season) than in the first week of January,” Warne said.
‘It just always seems to rain in the Test match. It’s such a beautiful location, such a beautiful city. Imagine if the tourists, and every opposition team, came here to Sydney and spent 10 days in port relaxing, getting ready and then playing the first Test in Sydney instead of the fourth Test always in the new year.
‘Maybe it’s time for a change. I know Australia don’t want to lose that first Test match in Brisbane, but the Brisbane Test match isn’t that well attended either.
“While Brisbane might be the New Year’s Test match and Sydney might be the first.”
Warnie’s pleas went unheeded – and the Sydney Test match won’t change anytime soon.
The ground crew were the busiest people at the Gabba for most of the test, with every session affected by rain on days one, three, four and five.
A draw means India and Australia will leave Brisbane level at 1-1 in the series, with two Tests left to play.
Australia have been left frustrated by rain at the Gabba during the third Test
Australia will feel they have been the better of the two sides in Brisbane after scoring 445 runs in their first innings to claim a 185-run lead.
But they are likely to lose Josh Hazlewood for the rest of the series due to a calf injury, with the medical staff not expecting him to play in Melbourne or Sydney.
His absence forced Pat Cummins (4-81) and Mitchell Starc (3-83) to bowl 46 overs between them in India’s first innings.
The draw also means that India are just one win away from retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as a draw would mean they retain the prize like the current holders.