Warne accuses Strauss of Test disrespect

Shane Warne has accused Andrew Strauss of showing a lack of respect to Test cricket by resting for England's tour of Bangladesh, and has questioned whether Alastair Cook is up to the task of leading the team in his absence.

"When I heard that Andrew Strauss is being rested it just doesn't sit right with me," Warne told journalists at the launch of the Royals 2020 franchise at Lord's. "When I am captain I want to get the best out of my players. Maybe that means putting an arm around them or maybe it means giving them a kick up the backside.

"Alastair Cook might be completely different. He might want to treat everyone the same way. If I am captain of a side I want to stop my authority on a side.

Warne also questioned the timing of Cook's appointment, suggesting that following his encouraging return to form during the recent tour of South Africa, he would be better served concentrating on his batting and spared the burden of captaincy. Instead, he is likely to be opening alongside the debutant, Michael Carberry, who could prove to be a rival in the long-term if he enjoys a productive series.

"I think he has been under pressure for his place in the side," said Warne. "He's suddenly found himself, he's made a hundred and now he is captain. What happens if Michael Carberry gets three hundreds and Alastair Cook gets a couple of runs? What happens then? Do you drop an England captain?

I hope they [England] are not taking Bangladesh too easy because they can be quite strong," he added. "What if they win the first Test? Does Strauss fly out for the second? I hope it's not the start of a trend. It's a lack of respect for Test cricket.

"It's disappointing that the captain of England decides to have a rest from a Test series, I can't comprehend that. Any time you represent your country it's special and I cannot understand how you can rest your captain."