Warne, speaking a day after crashing his motorbike, wasted little time in renewing his running battle with Starc.

"He needs to find a bit of rhythm and some form," Warne said.

"He had a really poor (Twenty20) World Cup.

'He's just not bowling well enough.

"It's too important at the Gabba. So I'm all for Jhye Richardson."

Starc continued to play the four-Test series against India a year ago as per the wish of his ailing father, who died of cancer in February.

Warne critiquing Starc, who is expected to be picked for five-Test series opener that begins on December 8, has become one of the sounds of summer to which clocks can be set.

The spin king has also been vocal in his support of legspinner Mitchell Swepson, uncapped at Test level, throughout recent years.

Warne argued in 2019-20 that Lyon should be rested for the SCG Test, allowing selectors to blood Swepson in a dead rubber against New Zealand.

Australia's all-time leading Test wicket-taker now senses the offspinner could soon be at risk of losing his spot in the XI because of Swepson.

"Nathan Lyon is under a bit of pressure," Warne said.

"Nathan Lyon's been terrific for Australia for a long time. He had a poor summer last year, so did Mitchell Starc, so that's where Australia really struggled.

"Lyon's form isn't great.

"I hope Swepson gives an option for the selectors then to say 'well, you know, Nathan's not bowling that well or we want to play two spinners' ... put some pressure on Nathan Lyon."

Warne's words come a year after he predicted Lyon, who needs one Test wicket to claim his 400th scalp, could rise above him on Australia's list of wicket-takers.

Warne, who captured 708 Test scalps, was dumped as vice-captain in 2000 amid the fallout of a texting controversy and never captained Australia in any format.

The 52-year-old, speaking at a BBL SuperCoach launch in Melbourne on Monday, gave his tick of approval to Pat Cummins' appointment as skipper.

"It's great to see a bowler actually be captain," Warne said.

"He'll do a bloody good job too. I think he's deserves his opportunity at it.

"He'll be a bit nervous because he hasn't really done too much of it and you're never the best version of yourself when you first become captain.

"What we love about Pat Cummins is his aggressiveness.

"We want Pat Cummins to be Pat Cummins ... that aggressive, nasty opening fast bowler."

Australian Associated Press