Brisbane: Never too far from controversies, spin legend Shane Warne found himself at the centre of another one when he called pacer Mitchell Starc "soft" but had to offer an explanation after Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann took exception to the description.
After Australia endured a tough day in Brisbane heat on the opening day of the ongoing second cricket Test against India, Warne singled out Starc, who went wicketless, saying: "He has to change his body language, it needs to be stronger, he looks a bit soft.
"He needs to puff his chest out a bit, look harder," Warne said on Channel Nine during a commentary stint on Wednesday.
Other commentators such as Michael Slater and Mark Taylor also agreed with Warne. However, when Lehmann was informed about the comments, he didn't seem too impressed.
"Soft? He used those words? That's very harsh. I will take it up with Shane myself."
However, Warne denied calling Starc soft this morning. "I never at any stage called Mitchell Starc soft," Warne said on Thursday. He took to Twitter to called the allegation nothing but sensationalism.
What rubbish reporting & sensationalism re my comments on Starc. I said he needs a better presence & stronger body language when bowling...
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 17, 2014
