Muppet show: No Punter in Warnie's Dream Team

It's Round Two of the Shane Warne muppet show! In his scathing attack of the Cricket Australia management, Warne had questioned the appointment of several positions in a series of Twitter rants. The 43-year-old said Cricket Australia "need cricket people running the team & who understand cricket & what's required at the top level, not muppets."

In his latest attack via his blog, Warne has called for a Who's Who of former players to take over crucial leadership roles in Cricket Australia. While he has proposed former skipper Mark Taylor's name as CEO, Warne's list doesn't have two of Australia's most successful men: Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke.

Warne released a blogpost titled "Where is Australian Cricket At? Part 1" on Wednesday where he called for an end to the controversial rotation system and wanted former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming to replace current coach, South Africa's Mickey Arthur.

"As an emotional, passionate and Australian cricket team supporter (and player) for the best part of 20 years (a proud one too) I, like many others am frustrated on many levels at present," wrote Warne.

"The next 12 months is the biggest 12 months of cricket for the Australian cricket team in a long, long time. If we do nothing now, we will be where we were 30 years ago. There needs to be urgent action and a new strategy / plan put in place. The current set up is not working, as the results are showing!"

Warne revealed his so-called "dream team" to head the game.

"I could be completely wrong and barking up the wrong tree, but in my opinion if the following people were to fill these roles, then Australian cricket would be in good hands and a great chance of getting back to number one, as I believe the talent is there in domestic cricket - to have a great Australian team for now and for the future," Warne wrote.

The Warnie dream team

Mark Taylor - CEO of cricket or GM

"Boss man, cricket supremo. The coach, captain and support staff are answerable to Tub. Tub is in charge of all things cricket. The reason why I would choose Mark is that he has an understanding from both sides and is a wonderful communicator as well as being very approachable and respected".

Stephen Fleming - coach

"In my time Stephen was the best opposition Captain we played against and seeing what Stephen has done first hand re his coaching roles along with knowing him well personally, I believe he brings a lot to the table, a calmness, an intelligent understanding of the game and a very good cricket brain. He's a good communicator too as well as a good leader of men."

Darren "Boof" Lehmann - assistant coach

"Boof understands the game as good as anyone and has a great outlook on the game, he's a good balance of old school and what the needs are of the current day player."

Mike Hussey / Michael Bevan - batting coaches
"Both respected players and grasp all forms of the game. These guys would be around the team when needed, depending on which form of the game is being played. The coach would liaise with both and give them clarity on when they are required and to be around the group."

Merv Hughes / Bruce Reid - bowling coaches

"Both have been wonderful players and understand what works and what doesn't, they also were very clever bowlers and have experience, both have a great attitude and a passion for the game too."

Ian Chappell - consultant

"Be on call as a sounding board for any player to talk to at any time and be around the group when needed. Chaps has been the biggest influence on my cricketing career and understands the game and people. His understanding of the game is second to none. He was a great all-round cricketer and also the best Captain to have ever played the game from any country."

He added the following selection panel:

Selectors
Rod Marsh (Chairman)
Mark Waugh
Damian Martyn; and
Glenn McGrath

"In my view, selecting a player is not based solely on statistics and averages, it can be used as a guide sure, but the objective of a selector is to look at when players get their runs and wickets, which shows character and a good temperament when under pressure, along with their talent," wrote Warne.

He said rotation and resting players would never work.
"A simple criteria is pick your best team and stick with it in all forms, then the players get used playing together and being with one another on tour, you get to know the person, too much chopping and changing leads to insecurity, players then start to look out for themselves and over their shoulder, this breeds selfishness," Warne wrote.

Warne said he hoped the post, along with a Part 2 planned for the next week, would open "the floodgates for discussion and a positive outcome.

"I'm no guru, just a concerned ex cricketer who loves Australian cricket and is passionate about the white floppy hat!"

Watch this space for more!