Michael Clarke explains what Shane Warne REALLY thought of Mitchell Starc after the fast bowler shared his regret for not speaking to the spin king about his harsh criticism
- Michael Clarke reveals what Shane Warne really thought of Mitch Starc
- The spin king has regularly given harsh criticism to the ‘soft’ fast bowler
- However, it was revealed that Warne wanted to set things right before his death
- Starc expressed regret that he missed that opportunity last week
- Former Australia captain Clarke said Warne ‘really liked’ the 32-year-old
Michael Clarke has revealed what Shane Warne really thought of Mitchell Starc after the Australian quickly regretted not mending their frosty relationship before his death.
Since breaking onto the Test scene, Warne has been a harsh critic of the 32-year-old, describing his body language and performance as ‘soft’ in 2014.
Starc responded to that criticism in emphatic style, and is on course to become the fifth Australian to take 300 Test wickets for his country.
Michael Clarke reveals what Shane Warne really thought of Mitchell Starc
Before his shock death earlier this year, Warne said in an unpublished interview that he would be happy to catch up and clear the air over a beer, and now former Australia captain Clarke insisted that the spin king ‘really liked’ Starc.
‘I can tell you now. Warnie liked Starcy,’ he said via NewsCorp.
I’m going to reach out to Starcy because I don’t think Starcy realizes that Warnie really loves her. Really liked him, thought he had a lot of good things about his game.’
Clarke believes Warne’s constant criticism is a form of tough love as he seeks to inspire Starc to reach higher levels.
Warne is a regular critic of Starc and branded him ‘soft’ during a Test match in 2014
However, Clarke said the spin king ‘really liked’ the 32-year-old fast bowler
‘Warnie was just marking him. That’s all,” said Clarke. ‘And I tell you, Warnie really believed at times that her being tough on him got the best of him. He thought he was saying that to help Starcy, too.
‘I know he’s struggling. He did that with some players, he would pick them and he wouldn’t let go and Starcy was probably one of them.
‘But I spoke to him about it at the time and he had no personal issue with Starccy. (He) met her a few times and thought she was perfectly fine.’
Starc said earlier this week: ‘The disappointing part, or the sad part, is we never got to have that conversation.
‘I guess we’ll never know (if that’s personal).
‘I don’t know – I never got a phone call to accept that offer (of a beer). Hindsight is a wonderful thing.’
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