Australia spin great Shane Warne said that while Steve Smith remains one of his favourite players, the former captain cannot be included in the T20 team. Warne criticised Australia’s tactics after they slumped to an eight-wicket defeat to England in the T20 World Cup.

Warne said that Australia should have gone for Mitchell Marsh ahead of Smith. “Disappointing selection from Australia leaving Marsh out & Maxwell batting in the power play (he should always come in after power play). (Marcus) Stoinis should have gone in. Poor strategy & tactics from the Aussies. I love Smith but he shouldn’t be in the T/20 team. Marsh has to be !!” he said on Twitter.

Disappointing selection from Australia leaving Marsh out & Maxwell batting in the power play (he should always come in after power play). Stoinis should have gone in. Poor strategy & tactics from the Aussies. I love Smith but he shouldn’t be in the T/20 team. Marsh has to be !!

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) October 30, 2021

Warne further said after the match that Pakistan and England are showing how to play T20 cricket and that Australia need to change the way they are thinking.

“Proper T/20 cricket that from England ! Australia will hopefully learn how they need to play after that smashing they copped from the Poms. Pakistan & England are showing how to play T/20 cricket. Australia need to change their thinking re style of play plus the team !!!!!” he said.

England were all out for 125 against Australia, after which Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 71 off 32 balls helped the 2019 World Cup winners chase down the target in 11.4 overs.