Spin king heavily critical of West Indies veteran after dismissal in World T20 semi-final
Warne lays into 'embarrassing' Samuels
Former Australia spinner Shane Warne has labelled West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels "embarrassing" and "pretty poor" following his dismissal in their World T20 semi-final against India in Mumbai.
Warne, who infamously clashed mid-pitch with Samuels during the 2012-13 Big Bash League, was highly critical of the Jamaican for the way he fell early in the Windies' successful run chase at the Wankhede Stadium.
Report & Highlights: WI stun India to reach WT20 final
Chasing 193 to win, Samuels came to the crease in just the second over after Chris Gayle was bowled by a full inswinger from young quick Jasprit Bumrah and the 35-year-old got off two a quick start with two fours from his first five balls.
Both boundaries came after Samuels had backed away outside his leg-stump and he continued this method against left-armer Ashish Nehra in the next over.
But it would prove to be his undoing, with the Jamaican backing away again and spooning a simple catch to Ajinkya Rahane at mid-off a short time later (watch his dismissal in the video at the top of the page).
In commentary at the time, Warne didn't hold back in his assessment.
"Well, this is a bit embarrassing for Marlon Samuels," he said.
"Look where he is. He's nearly off the pitch backing away again. He's backed away every ball.
"And all it was was just a normal length ball from Ashish Nehra. I said the ball before, if he can give him a good short one and get one outside off stump that Marlon Samuels was backing away so much he nearly couldn't reach it.
"For your No.3, Marlon Samuels, in this situation in such a big game, that's an embarrassing dismissal. That's pretty poor."
When the replay of Samuels’s dismissal was shown a short time later, Warne went again.
"I'm still trying to get over Marlon Samuels's dismissal," he said.
"You can't back away that far as a No.3 batsman when your team's struggling and they need one of the experienced players to hang in there.
"He was so worried about the short ball and to get out the way he did, in that manner, you can see why the dressing room and the dugout for the West Indies was so flat.
"Look at this. Look how far. He's nearly off the pitch and it was just a normal length ball on off stump.
"Now is the time to consolidate because one thing you can't do in Twenty20 cricket is try and rebuild. You can't lose wickets in clumps.
"The West Indies have lost two already and it was just the way they were dismissed; Chris Gayle has missed a full toss - yes it swung back in late - and Marlon Samuels has backed away from a length ball and just chipped it up to the fielder.
"A horror start for the West Indies but a very good start for the Indian fast bowlers."
In January this year, Warne was in commentary when Samuels was run out after a horror mix-up in the third Test against Australia in Sydney.
Quick Single: Warne sums up Samuels run out
Samuels' wicket fell on the last ball before a rain break when he attempted a risky single after hitting Nathan Lyon to Josh Hazlewood at point.
His partner Kraigg Brathwaite initially showed no interest in the run but the pair were both mid-pitch as the throw came in. Brathwaite dropped his bat in his scramble to get back to safety as Australia wicketkeeper Peter Nevill whipped off the bails with Samuels well short of his ground.
"Horrific running between the wickets, he was too cool for school when he took off and he blames his partner," Warne said.
"Sorry Marlon it was all your fault. It was bad running. That was straight to point. There's nothing wrong with saying wait.
"He's an experienced player. He should know that."
Warne was fined $4,500 and suspended for one game after he clashed with mid-pitch Samuels during a BBL Melbourne derby in early 2013. Samuels was given a reprimand for his part in the incident.