Australia look confused: Warne

Test legend Shane Warne says England are better placed heading into the first Magellan Ashes Test after a “confused” Australia boldly selected Tim Paine as their wicketkeeper today.

But former Australia captain Mark Taylor has backed the National Selection Panel’s decision to pick Paine and in-form players for the first two Ashes Tests of the summer.

While England have largely kept out of the spotlight so far on tour – they’re currently completing their final warm-up match in Townsville – Australia’s selectors sent tongues wagging on Friday when they named uncapped Cameron Bancroft, veteran Shaun Marsh and Paine in their 13-man squad.

Paine hasn’t played a Test since October, 2010, and due to Matthew Wade’s return to Tasmania this season he hasn’t been standing behind the stumps at domestic level.

The 32-year-old’s only stint as wicketkeeper at home this summer has been for a Cricket Australia XI against England at the Adelaide Oval, where he made 52, 5 and held five catches.

Paine’s selection has stunned fans and experts en masse, and it’s why Warne thinks the hosts are puzzled just six days out from the opening Test at the Gabba.

"England at the moment are just going along nicely,” Warne said at Wide World of Sports launch of the Magellan Ashes at North Sydney Oval today.

“They're just doing their business.

“Australia look confused.

“They're picking wicketkeepers that aren't even keeping for their state.

“To me, I think England are in a better situation going into that first Test than what Australia are.”

While Taylor admits Paine’s selection was a “shock”, he praised the decision to pick players on form.

“I don’t think they’re confused,” Taylor told cricket.com.au.

“I think they’ve had Tim Paine higher on the pecking order than a lot of us did, and they’ve made a couple of form selections which I think are bold selections and good ones.

“I think they’ve made some tough decisions, bold ones, up front.

“They’ve said this is the side we believe is the most in-form side to beat England and we’re going to pick it.”

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21