Warne hits out at 'bits and pieces' Aussies

Leg-spin legend unimpressed by certain elements of Australia's Test and ODI teams

Shane Warne has added his name to a growing list of former Australia players to criticise elements of the national side over the past 24 hours, claiming both the Tests and ODI teams contain "bits and pieces players" who the King of Spin doesn't believe are up to international standard.

Warne took to social media to vent his frustration at the recent performances of Steve Smith's side, after their 3-0 humbling in the Test series and Wednesday night's ODI thrashing which saw the series level at 1-1. The subsequent news in the aftermath of that Smith was heading home for rest and would miss the remainder of the ODI series and the T20 contests that followed drew widespread criticism, however Warne's target was not the captain.

"Not happy with Aust's test or one day team," Warne tweeted. "Bits and pieces players who aren't good enough at either are not the answer - specialists are!"

Warne's complaint appears aimed at the allrounders in the teams - Mitchell Marsh and Moises Henriques. With the axings of Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns ahead of the third Test in Colombo, NSW allrounder Henriques got his opportunity and joined Marsh in the middle order. Henriques made four in each innings while Marsh made his second half-century in 18 Tests in the first innings, and nine in the second.

The pair bowled 15 overs for the match between them, of which Henriques bowled two, for combined figures of 0-57.

Marsh then flew home ahead of the ODIs while Henriques has returned scores of six and four and gone for total figures of 1-88 from 14 overs.

Smith responded to Warne's criticism, maintaining his belief that the formula is a winning one.

"We've got plenty of specialists," Smith said.

"We've obviously got a few allrounders. But I think they do a good job as well.

"Shane's entitled to his opinion, but I think we've got the right guys here to get the job done."

Warne's former adversary, Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardena, was among the most critical of Smith for his decision to head home mid-series.

"Surprised to see smith going back home to prepare for SA tour when this one is not finished," Jayawardena tweeted. "Would any other @CricketAus captain done this?"

Coach Darren Lehmann yesterday joined Smith in defending the decision, citing Australia's rigorous schedule in the coming seven months.

"We respect our former captains and former greats who have an opinion," Lehmann said on Thursday.

"There's no dramas, they're entitled to that. But we think it's the best thing for Steven to get him right and ready to go.

"We planned that for a long time and he (Smith) took some convincing, there's no doubt about that.

"But as a coach and a selection panel we're making sure he's fresh and ready to go each and every time he plays for Australia.

"We just wanted to make sure that he's fresh and ready to go for South Africa and then the big summer ahead.

- cricket.com