Shane Warne blasts former Australian skipper Steve Waugh as selfish

[Hogg]

THE feud between Shane Warne and his former captain Steve Waugh has again reared its ugly head, with explosive claims in a new book.

Warne has hit out at Waugh in his latest book, ‘No Spin’ suggesting Waugh was selfish and only concerned with keeping his average above 50.

Warne pointed to the 1999 tour of the West Indies as evidence for his claims, after Waugh led calls to drop the leg-spinner, who was also vice-captain at the time.

Warne was struggling to get back to his best after major shoulder surgery and after being dominated by Brian Lara in the previous Test, Waugh thought his deputy should be stood down.

Warne recalls the incident as the tipping point in the relationship breakdown between the pair.

“Anyway, we were 2–1 down,” Warne writes.

“I was vice-captain and bowling pretty ordinary and Tugga [Steve Waugh] opened the selection meeting between the two of us and Geoff Marsh, the coach, by saying, “Warney, I don’t think you should play this next Test.” (Remember the selectors on tour were the captain, vice-captain and coach.)

“Silence. “Er, right,” I said. “Why?” “I don’t think you’re bowling very well, mate.” “Yes . . . fair call,” I admitted.

“My shoulder [after surgery] is taking longer than I thought but it’s close now. The feel is slowly coming back and then the rhythm will come, mate. I’m not worried.