'Jeez, you’re a bit harsh on me' - Shane Warne reveals Steve Smith's response to his vice-captaincy criticism

The former Australian cricketer Shane Warne has revealed his chat with Steve Smith. He said that he received a call from the batter regarding the public disapproval and criticism of his appointment as the vice-captain of the Test team. The former spinner added that both of them talked it out and respected each other’s opinions.

Smith was banned from the leadership duties owing to the sandpaper scandal of 2018 in South Africa. However, the batter marked his return to the same after he was appointed as the deputy of Pat Cummins. Warne had previously stated that the batter did not deserve to get the responsibility. He had also slammed Cricket Australia (CA) for the same.

“I spoke to Steve Smith. He messaged me and said, ‘Jeez, you’re a bit harsh on me aren’t you’, and we talked it out. That’s what respect does. Just because someone doesn’t like your opinion doesn’t mean you have to get nasty and personal about it. Everyone’s allowed to have their opinion,” Warne said while speaking on Fox Cricket after Day 1 of the first Ashes 2021.

I was happy Steve Smith contacted me: Shane Warne 

After Day 1 of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, Warne reckoned that he was happy that Smith contacted him. He further said that both of them had worked together at the Rajasthan Royals and that they have huge respect for each other.

“I was happy Steve Smith contacted me because I consider him a friend. We’ve worked together at the Rajasthan Royals, I used to work with him when he was bowling, was he a leg-spinner a long-time ago? So, we’ve got a respect for each other and it was nice of him to actually ring me and say, ‘Mate, why did you think that?’ I told him my point of view and he said, ‘I understand it and I’m sure a lot of people have that point of view too’.”

The former spinner further opened up on the conversation and pointed that both of them respectfully agreed to disagree on the matter.

“Like he said to me, ‘Mate, you’ve been in the game for 30-odd years, you’ve earned the right to have your opinion and I respect it, I just don’t agree with it.’ And that’s OK, I just think there’s been too much if you have a different opinion,” Warne added.