No stranger to spin, Shane Warne has tweaked his criticism of Australia quick Mitchell Starc by claiming he never called him "soft".
But in what seemed a contradictory call, Warne said Australia coach Darren Lehmann agreed with his assessment of the left-arm quick.
Warne is feeling the heat after applying the blowtorch to Starc on Wednesday before the speedster wilted at a scorching Gabba on day one of the second Test against India, at one stage leaving the field for treatment.
The erratic Starc's horror Test continued on Thursday, when he was hooked from the attack after a three-over spell that cost 27 runs - his speed dipping to just 125kph.
"He has to change his body language, it needs to be stronger - he looks a bit soft," Warne said during a Nine Network TV commentary stint on Wednesday.
Lehmann claimed he would confront his mate Warne after hearing about the "soft" comment by stumps on day one - except the legendary leg-spinner on Thursday reckoned he didn't say it.
"I never at any stage called Mitchell Starc soft," Warne said on Nine Network.
"What I did do was say his body language and his presence gave the appearance of being nonchalant and he needed to improve on his body language, it all was a bit nice and soft and easy, not him.
"It had nothing to do with the heat ... it (comment) was after a couple of overs.
"I stand by what I said because I agree with it."
But Warne then claimed Lehmann agreed with his analysis when they spoke to clear the air.
"Just to back it up, I spoke to Darren Lehmann last night," Warne told Nine Network.
"We spoke and he said, `what you said is exactly what we've been saying'.
"Craig McDermott the bowling coach and Darren Lehmann have both been working on Mitchell Starc."
Starc's partner, Australia women's cricketer Alyssa Healy, quickly leapt to his defence on Wednesday.
"Any danger of something positive," the niece of ex-Test keeper Ian Healy tweeted.
Warne seemed to sense the trouble brewing by stumps on day one after reading initial online reports of his comment.
"What rubbish reporting & sensationalism re my comments on Starc," he tweeted.
"I said he needs a better presence & stronger body language when bowling...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 !"
Share
