London, Feb.9 : England are "flirting with danger" by resting Andrew Strauss for the tour to Bangladesh, according to former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne.
Warne, who was on a brief visit to Britain to lend his voice to the announcement that his Indian Premier League team, Rajasthan Royals, have founded the world's first global sporting franchise, could not resist the urge to send a verbal barb in England's direction.
He was dismissive of the suggestion that resting Strauss from Bangladesh would benefit England in an Ashes year.
"That just doesn't sit right with me. I think the England captain shouldn't be resting from a Test series. I hope it doesn't backfire on them. [You wouldn't say to] Allan Border, 'Sorry mate, we're just going to rest you from a Test match so you can be right in nine months' time'. He'd rip your head off. So there's something I don't like,” The Telegraph quoted Warne, as saying.
"I think he's [Cook] been under pressure for his place in the side. He got a hundred [at Durban]. I don't know when he got one before that. A year? 15 Tests? [It was actually seven]. That's a long time for an opener not to get a hundred. Now he's made a hundred, he's captain," he added.
Warne also predicted problems if his former Hampshire team-mate, Michael Carberry, who will open in Strauss's absence, has a good start to his career when the Tests against Bangladesh begin on March 12.
"The one good thing is Michael Carberry gets an opportunity," Warne said.
"He's probably the most in-form opener on the county circuit. What happens if Michael Carberry makes three hundreds and Alastair Cook makes a couple of runs. That creates selection issues.
"It just flirts with danger when the English captain decides, 'I need a rest'. I just hope they're not taking Bangladesh too lightly."
Strauss's decision was also criticised by England fast bowler Stephen Harmison. "Even if he got there two days before the series, the captain should be there," he said
© ANI
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