Former Australian leg spinner Shane Warne has called on the game’s managers to take urgent steps to keep Test cricket alive and popular among the spectators.

Lamenting the unusually quiet surrounding the forthcoming Test series between Australia and the West Indies, Warne writes in an article for the 'Daily Telegraph' says: “ There have been no real campaigns promoting the first Test which starts on Thursday at the Gabba, or, maybe there's another theory ... that the West Indies are an ordinary outfit and most first-class sides in Australia would beat them, so Cricket Australia is treading water until Pakistan get here.”

He asks: “It's a real shame because the last month has been amazing for Australian sport and, in particular, with the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne. Sports fans across Australia are on a roll, but when does the cricket start?

He further says: “Does anyone know the first Test is on this week besides the players and the hardened cricket fans? With so much happening, Cricket Australia should have had a huge campaign, but what have they done to push the summer and to continue what has been a great month of sport?

“Remember, the Australian players will be hungry in the Test arena after they lost the Ashes earlier this year ... ouch. Let's hope the Caribbean players surprise us all,” he concludes.