Australian cricket legends Steve Smith and David Warner savaged from all angles

Australian cricket veterans Steve Smith and David Warner have copped brutal roastings from various commentators, with Smith being called “self-absorbed” and Warner referred to as “clown”.

Smith is again under fire for his head-shaking and gestures of disbelief while being dismissed.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Steve Smith out for a duck at the ‘G.

The former Australian captain was at it again during the New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG, when he was given out for a duck on Tuesday.

Smith made the fatal mistake of leaving a ball from Scott Boland that darted back and brushed his pad. He was visibly fuming as the umpire gave him out LBW.

The commentators explained at the time (on Tuesday) that it was “a dangerous leave and I don’t think it’s going over the top (of the stumps)”.

But that didn’t stop Smith from showing his anger ... and now Channel 7’s Kane Cornes has called him out.

“There’s some things that I’ve been very right on and things that I’ve been very wrong on in a media career, but one of them (being right) is that Steve Smith is just the most self-absorbed Australian athlete that we have,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.

“It’s never his fault. He leaves a straight ball that’s going to smash into the stumps. I reckon you should use your bat if it’s close to the stumps.

“He leaves one. And then it’s the umpire’s fault. It’s never, ever his fault. He tickles one down leg side, it’s the umpire’s fault. Or if he misses, it’s the pitch’s fault.

“This is the former captain of the side … what a shocking example. Can’t have it. I’m sorry.”

Smith’s experiment as an opener for Australia is over, and on Wednesday it was revealed that the 37-year-old Warner has suggested that he could come out of retirement to play in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone,” Warner told News Corp.

Pressed further on how sincere he was really being, Warner doubled down: “I’m always dead serious.”

Veteran cricket writer Peter Lalor was shocked by Warner’s gall.

“I’ve had my head in my hands all morning,” Lalor said on SEN.

“This is a drive-by shooting from a bloke in a clown car. Go away, David, we’ve had enough.

“It’s not your time.”

Commentator Gerard Whateley was also in disbelief and was moved to pen an article.

“Warner not only said it to (reporter) Ben Horne … he’s been texting the chief selector and the coach. The lack of awareness is breathtaking,” Whateley wrote.

“Australia indulged Warner too long, ignoring the urgent need for succession.

“And now that the successor is proving difficult to identify, Warner thinks he’s the solution. Could you imagine?

“Do you think we could find the one person this morning who thinks this is a good idea?”

After Victoria defeated NSW in the Shield match on Wednesday, former Test opener Chris Rogers was asked about Warner’s suggestion.

“I think Davey’s being Davey and he’s looking for a reaction,” he said.

“I had to laugh. I thought to myself, ‘Maybe I should come to this press conference and say I’m ready to go’. But then I did see Mitch Starc bowling and I thought, ‘No chance’.

“I think Davey is being Davey and just, you know, he’s looking for a bit of a reaction, and he’s certainly got one.”

New South Wales captain Moises Henriques said: “I don’t know (about Warner returning), to be honest ... The boys were just joking about it before, but I haven’t actually seen what was said ...

“Again, I don’t know how serious they are or if (the suggestion was) tongue in cheek, so I can’t really say that I’ve made anything of them just yet.”