Warne clarifies 'soft' comment on Starc

Brisbane, Dec 18 (IANS) Spin legend Shane Warne has claimed he never called Australia pacer Mitchell Starc "soft", and has clarified comments he made during Channel Nine's day one coverage of the second Test here.

"I never at any stage called Mitchell Starc 'soft'," Warne was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au Thursday.

"What I did do was say his body language and his presence gave the appearance of being nonchalant and he needed to improve on his body language, it all was a bit nice and soft and easy, not him.

"It had nothing to do with the heat, it (comment) was after a couple of overs. I stand by what I said because I agree with it."

Starc finished with figures of 0-83 in India's first innings and had to be treated Wednesday after suffering the effects of the extreme weather Wednesday.

"He has to change his body language, it needs to be stronger - he looks a bit soft," Warne said during a Nine Network TV commentary stint Wednesday, which started the controversy.

Warne also said Australia's head coach Darren Lehmann agreed with his assessment of the left-arm pacer.

"Just to back it up, I spoke to Darren Lehmann last night," Warne added.

"We spoke and he said, 'what you said is exactly what we've been saying'. Craig McDermott the bowling coach and Darren Lehmann have both been working on Mitchell Starc.