Warne warns Aussies of Swann threat
Shane Warne has been impressed by Graeme Swann
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Thursday, 14, May 2009 08:45
Shane Warne has warned his former Australia team-mates that Graeme Swann could be a real danger in the upcoming Ashes series.
Off-spinner Swann has been in sensational form since regaining his England place and is the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket this year. The Nottinghamshire star showed his improving form with six wickets against the West Indies at Lords last week.
Warne, regarded the greatest spinner of all time, thinks Swann along with Monty Panesar will be a handful for Australia, who have four left-handers in their top five and this will play into the hands of the England spinners.
"Now that Graeme Swann has established himself in the team and Monty Panesar is waiting in the wings, I think there's a real possibility that England will take on Australia with two spinners in their side," Warne wrote in his column in the Times.
"Swann has the added advantage that he turns the ball away from the left-handers and Australia will be bringing a few of those in their top order for the Ashes.
"The key attribute Swann has is that he is a genuine spinner of the ball. If a bowler is giving the ball a good rip, he'll get a bit of drift in the air as well as turning it when it lands."
Aside from the spin department, Warne felt that England were missing a trick in not bringing back Michael Vaughan at number three.
Ravi Bopara has hit three consecutive centuries batting in that position and while Warne admitted that Essex batsman will be fine player in the long term, he said more experienced players like Vaughan needed to play in the Ashes.