The spin king took to social media ahead of Australia’s first Test against South Africa in the hope of firing up both sides to play some “entertaining cricket”.

Warne said more had to be done by the powers that be to promote the format or face a further dwindling audience.

"Should we just leave test cricket as it is & hope people start watching again ? It's v sad, but Test cricket is becoming boring for the fans," he wrote on Twitter.

"Test cricket needs - Promotion, more attacking cricket from the captains, pitches need to spin or seam, not flat & players need to entertain."