MELBOURNE, Dec 24: The Australian cricket team’s supremacy is being challenged like never before, conceded spin legend Shane Warne but insisted that even in the face of tougher competition, it was too early to write off the world champions.

“I was disappointed in some of the speculation about the Australian team, and the criticism it received,” Warne wrote in his column for The Herald Sun, reacting to Australia’s loss in the Perth Test where they failed to defend a mammoth 414 runs. “Let’s remember it was just the first of three Test matches, not a series loss. Both teams played outstandingly well, but South Africa was just too good over the five days. There is no disgrace in being outplayed,” he reasoned.

Warne said instead of criticising the Aussies, all credit should be given to Graeme Smith and his men for their record chase.

“Santa delivered an early Christmas present to the tourists with their marvellous run chase on the “flat road” in Perth. “It was an amazing chase and the record books back that up,” he said.—Agencies