Warne slates Strauss for withdrawal

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Australia legend Shane Warne has accused Andrew Strauss of disrespecting Test cricket by resting for the tour of Bangladesh - and he has tipped Michael Carberry to take full advantage.

Warne believes appointing Alastair Cook as skipper for the Test matches in Chittagong and Mirpur next month could pose problems for England in terms of getting used to a new captaincy style from Strauss.

After helping Carberry get his career back on track at Hampshire, Warne hopes the 29-year-old can take advantage of Strauss' absence and make it impossible for selectors to leave him out when they return from Bangladesh.

That is the other side of a decision that Warne feels could backfire on England.

"I hope they are not taking Bangladesh too easy because they can be quite strong," said the leg-spinner.

"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.

"Maybe a one-day game because you play 40 or 50 a year but you only play eight Test matches a year. It's special.

"He's got a style of captaincy and a new skipper can't be Andrew Strauss, he'll do it his way. So suddenly the players think 'how are we going to play under Alastair Cook?"'

Warne hopes Strauss' loss is Carberry's gain.

"I hope he gets the nod and peels off a couple of hundreds," he said.

"Then what are they going to do? Leave Andrew Strauss out? Michael is a wonderful player and I had a lot to do with him down at Hampshire where I was his captain for a few years. I saw a lot of good qualities and he just got better and better."

England skippers have been in the spotlight recently - not just Strauss but John Terry being stripped of the football captaincy following allegations in his personal life.

Warne, himself dismissed as Australia vice-captain in 2000 after off-the-field controversy, was surprised when asked on radio about the Terry scandal prior to arriving at Lord's for the launch of the Royals2020 franchise.

"The best thing about a captain is to be honest with your players, understand the players and get the best out of the group," he said.

Meanwhile, England fast bowler Steve Harmison agrees Strauss should tour Bangladesh.

He told Sky Sports News: "The captain should be there. He was tired at the end of the South Africa tour but the other factor is he's England captain. Even if he got there two days before the first Test, the England captain should be there."