The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Warne weighs in on England captaincy
Australian legend believes Jos Buttler would fit as leader
Shane Warne believes England should seriously consider replacing Joe Root with Jos Buttler as Test captain – to allow Root to become the world’s best batsman.
Australia spin great Warne thinks the Yorkshire star could dominate the global game with the bat and feels Buttler would make a “very, very good” Test captain.
Warne worked with Buttler in his role as mentor for IPL outfit Rajasthan Royals, and is convinced the Lancashire keeper has credible Test leadership skills.
“I’ve worked with Jos a bit this year, and I think he’s someone who would make an excellent captain,” said Warne, of Buttler.
“I really enjoyed working with him, I’d like to think I helped him out a little bit.
“I really enjoyed his company, and talking the game of cricket with him.
“He would be a very, very good
England captain.
“I think Joe Root is England’s best player. But he’ll be disappointed with his conversion rate when it comes to hundreds.
“He’d love to have more hundreds to be able to be spoken about in the same sentences as Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.
“I like Joe Root, he has a good manner about himself. He’s a gentleman.
“Maybe England could think about their best player having the shackles off, not having the responsibility of captaincy, and give it to someone like Jos Buttler.
“Jos could play with his freedom and captain the side, and Joe could just concentrate on his cricket.
“If he totally 100% concentrates on his cricket, his batting and nothing else, then maybe we might see Joe Root become the best batsman in the world. He’s got the talent to do it.”
Warne is busy promoting his autobiography No Spin, where he charts his 708-wicket Test career in a typically candid fashion.
The 49-year-old believes Australia have lost the “fear factor” ever since England won the 2005 Ashes.