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Ashes cricket: Shane Warne trolled after his calls for Australia to drop Mitchell Starc backfires

Aussie cricket fans have mocked Shane Warne after his calls for Mitchell Starc to be dropped backfired spectacularly when the veteran bowler claimed a wicket with the first ball of the Ashes.

Warne is a strong critic of Starc and argued he should have been left out of the team in favour of in-form pace bowler Jhye Richardson for the First Test at the Gabba.

The 31-year-old though proved his worth immediately in Brisbane by knocking over England opener Rory Burns’ leg stump to kick off the series.

Mitchell Starc celebrates after dismissing England opener Rory Burns with the first ball of the Ashes

Mitchell Starc celebrates after dismissing England opener Rory Burns with the first ball of the Ashes

Warne was quick to claim in the Fox Sports commentary box that his criticism had fired Starc up for the sensational start.

The spin-bowling legend then questioned why the 31-year-old would bowl a half volley with the first ball of the series.

‘The Shane Warne ‘if I say Mitchell Starc is s**t and look how it gees him up’ dynamic is exactly the same as the Michael Vaughan-Stuart Broad one,’ one fan said on Twitter.

‘Shane Warne criticising Starc for bowling a half volley after he’s taken a wicket with the first ball of the Ashes is very on-brand,’ another said.

‘Something truly beautiful about Shane Warne being in the commentary box to call Starc taking a wicket with the first ball of the Ashes,’ one fan said. 

Others claimed it was unfair for Warne to question the delivery, with one calling the ball that got Burns out ‘a full length outswinger – not a half volley’.

The incredible start came after England won the toss and decided to bat, having left out veteran paceman Stuart Broad. 

Warne watched on from the commentary box as Starc claimed Rory Burns' wicket with the first ball of the series. Spin-bowling legend pictured in 2019

Warne watched on from the commentary box as Starc claimed Rory Burns’ wicket with the first ball of the series. Spin-bowling legend pictured in 2019

Aussie cricket fans have mocked Shane Warne after his calls for Mitchell Starc to be dropped backfired spectacularly

Aussie cricket fans have mocked Shane Warne after his calls for Mitchell Starc to be dropped backfired spectacularly

Australia named their playing XI on Sunday with Travis Head returning at No.5 after his axing during last summer’s series against India ahead of Usman Khawaja and wicketkeeper Alex Carey on debut, replacing Paine.

Carey was presented with his baggy green cap before the match by former Test player Adam Gilchrist.

‘Rest assured you deserve this, there is absolutely no way that these are given out lightly. It’s been a courageous journey,’ Gilchrist told the South Australian, who began his professional sporting life as an aspiring AFL footballer for the GWS Giants.

‘You walked away from one journey, and courageously resumed another dream.

Mitchell Starc celebrates taking the wicket of England's Rory Burns with the first ball of the Ashes at Brisbane on Wednesday

Mitchell Starc celebrates taking the wicket of England’s Rory Burns with the first ball of the Ashes at Brisbane on Wednesday

Starc clean bowled Rory Burns with the first ball as the Aussie paceman hit back at critics who said he should have been dropped in favour of in-form Jhye Richardson

Starc clean bowled Rory Burns with the first ball as the Aussie paceman hit back at critics who said he should have been dropped in favour of in-form Jhye Richardson

‘And here you are, fulfilling that dream today. Absolutely brilliant.’

Conditions are overcast and humid but so far forecast showers have stayed away, ensuring play will start on time at 10am AEST.

England will wear black armbands for the first day’s play in memory of former England women’s cricketer Eileen Ash, who died earlier this week aged 110.

She was the world’s oldest Test cricketer, making her debut in 1937.

England is searching for their first Test win at the Gabba since 1986 while Australia’s last defeat at the venue in the opening match of a series was in 1988 against the West Indies.