Shane Warne tips Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann to be key players for England in the Ashes
One of the most awaited Test series in International cricket will begin next month, as the oldest rivalry in cricket is rekindled in the Ashes Down Under. England are in Australia for the 5-Test match series and would be looking
to win their first Ashes series in Australia in decades.
With such a big series about to begin, there is understandably a lot of attention from all corners, and experts and former cricketers continue to add their own two cents to the upcoming contest.
Shane Warne, the former Australian leg spinner, has said that England would have to be ruthless, and not be distracted by the verbal slur thrown towards them by the Aussies.
Shane Warne, while giving away several tips and tricks of the trade to the England team ahead of the Ashes, also said that England should not make the mistake of underestimating their opponents due to their poor recent form.
Warne, who ended his Test career with over 700 Test wickets, said that England have a world class spinner in their ranks in the shape of Graeme Swann. He added that England captain Andrew Strauss should make optimal use of the
off-spinner. Warne added that England fast bowlers should not get carried away with the bouncy pitches in Australia and make sure that they keep the length up to the batsmen.
Shane Warne, who ended his Test career after the last Ashes series in Australia, said that even though England are in good form, it would still be difficult for them to win here. Warne added that it has been a very long time since
England won in Australia and there are a number of reasons behind that. He also added that one should not forget that England lost the last Ashes in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 5-0 the last time they came.
Shane Warne said that this is the best chance for England to win an Ashes series in Australia after a gap of generations, and if they manage to stick to the basic rules of the game, they should be able to win.
The leg spinner identified two players as the most important ones in the England team: he said that in batting, Kevin Pietersen would be the most significant player. He said that Kevin played under him at http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hampshire-c789 and he has known
him closely, and he is mentally the toughest in the England team. Warne went on to say that Pietersen’s recent form has been questionable but that does not change the fact that he remains England’s best batsman.
The other key player Warne identified was Graeme Swann. He said that in recent times, the off-spinner has really come of age, and grown into a world-class spinner. He added that the ability to read the batsman and use his flight
and guile accordingly is a rare quality in a spinner. The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals captain added that if Swann is used cleverly, he could be the key not just in the 2nd innings of a Test match when the pitch breaks up, but also in first innings or even
on the first day.
Shane Warne ended by saying that cricket is all about seizing the moment, and England should make sure that they keep the out-of-form Australia team on the back-foot. He added that such is the quality in Australia that if they
get a sniff of a chance and England hesitate, the momentum can shift very quickly.
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