Lehmann says Warne’s comments are “absolute rubbish”.
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Australia coach Darren Lehmann has flatly rejected claims from Shane Warne that a fitness deadline placed on Michael Clarke set the captain up to fail.
When announcing the 15-man World Cup squad last month, Australian chairman of selectors Rod Marsh announced that Clarke would have to prove his fitness before this Saturday’s clash with Bangladesh.
Should Clarke miss the deadline, he would be ruled out for the entire tournament.
In an interview with the Today show, Warne said selectors aimed to “break” Clarke by setting such a deadline.
“I think they’ve just tried to break him and I suppose for him he feels like he’s trying to be broken.” Warne is quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.
“His back and his hamstrings are absolutely fine, he’s ready to go and I’m sure he’s itching (to play)… he wishes he could play tomorrow night because he’s ready.
“He top-scored the other day in the practice match (against the UAE in Melbourne three days before Australia’s World Cup opener against England) after not having a bat for a long time.
“(But) he’s just going to have wait an extra bit and stick to the plan and when he gets his opportunity look out because he’s absolutely raring to go.
“When you look down that Australian side we’ve got so many match-winners in that team, but you add Michael Clarke, his captaincy, his flair, his imagination and also his batting, it’s definitely improving the side.”
Lehmann refuted Warne’s claims on 3AW Radio, saying he did not agree with the former Australia spinner, but added that his former teammate had a right to his opinion.
“We didn’t talk about it mate,” Lehmann is quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.
“Warnie’s entitled to his opinion but we know that was absolute rubbish. That’s his opinion.
“I can’t say anything against the great man (Warne), it’s just the way he wants to say things (and) that’s fine.”
Australia take on Bangladesh in their second Pool A game on Saturday at 3.30am (GMT)
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