Swann Plays Down Warne Return

Graeme Swann says Shane Warne won't return

England spinner Graeme Swann has played down speculation that Legendary Australian bowler Shane Warne will come back out of retirement for the remainder or the Ashes tour.

"I very much doubt that Shane Warne would come out of retirement to play just in these three games," said Swann.

Much of the media has suggested that Australia's all-time leading wicket taker could return to Test cricket after England's dominant innings-and-71-run win in Adelaide and Australia going 1-0 down in the series after the second test.

"It's very good for us that the Aussies are doing this and the Aussie public are looking for Shane to get back in.

"He's not played any cricket for so long. We'll just carry on as we are and let the Aussies worry about that."

Shane Warne backs Nathan Hauritz

Shane Warne on Nathan Hauritz

Legendary spin bowler Shane Warne has said that he expects Nathan Hauritz to be the number one spinner for Australia in the Ashes, although there is stiff competition from Xavier Doherty who has been selected in the squad alongside Steve Smith. The pair will come up against each other in the Sheffield Shield clash between New South Wales and Tasmania in a battle of the spinners.

Warne revealed that he spoke to Hauritz on the Boxing Day Test last year about keeping positive and he feels the Australian will be key providing he doesn't suffer a dip in form, but in case he doesn't perform well, he has Doherty and Smith breathing down his neck for a place in the squad to face England.

Warne added, "I think Nathan Hauritz is our number one spinner, he has a very good record in Australia and I'm sure he'll get first chance,"

"I had a chat with him just before the Boxing Day Test last year and talked about being positive.

"I said 'mate, you're bowling well, get some right fields, work with Ricky (Ponting) to get the right fields and bowl to get someone out. Ask yourself how am I getting them out and if you ask how am I getting them out that naturally gives you a positive mindset'. And if he does that he'll be fine.

"If he (Hauritz) doesn't do well, a bloke like Doherty is pushing and Steven Smith is pushing, so there are options and that's a good sign for Australian cricket.

"But I think Nathan Hauritz will get first chance, and he deserves it.

"He looks good (Doherty), I've worked with him a bit, not in a while, but whenever I worked with him he looks very good.

"He's definitely not a big spinner of the ball and that's something he's trying to work on, to spin it more, and this summer he looks like he's spinning it more, and that's great. I'm sure he'd do a very good job if picked."

While praising the Austrialian spinners, Warne has insisted that England have the best spinner and most improved cricketer  in Graeme Swann,

He added, "Graeme Swann is the number one spinner in the world and the most improved cricketer in the world, so everyone is expecting him to do really well,"

"Expectation is on him for the first time which is different, and he's coming in as leading wicket taker for England. He said.

"So it's a different feeling for him but I think he'll do really well and I'm impressed with what he did this summer in England while I was commentating over there. He was fantastic."

Warne: Ponting is the right man

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting is the right man to lead the side against England in the Ashes, according to former leg-spinner Shane Warne.

Ponting has come under some fierce criticism from former players after their 2-0 series loss to India, which saw the Aussies slump to fifth in the test rankings, with suggestions that he should relinquish his test captaincy position

Warne had questioned Ponting's tactics on Twitter during Australia's second test in Bangalore with tweeting:

"How the hell can Hauritz bowl to this field?"

"Feeling for Hauritz, terrible!! What are these tactics? Sorry Ricky, but what are you doing?"

Warne attempted to defuse his comments, saying they were not a criticism but an observation as he watched the match unfold.

"My tweet about Ricky's fields for Nathan Hauritz for (two) overs has been portrayed as a rift between myself and the Australian captain and journos have tried to start a slanging match between us; what rubbish," Warne wrote on his personal website www.shanewarne.com

"Commentators on the match, cricket journalists and even the Indian captain, MS Dhoni, have agreed with my tweet. It was an observation, not an attack!

"I have and always will support the Australian cricket team but, as a cricket commentator, I have to be honest, forthright and express my opinion. If people don't like it so be it."

"Ricky, to me, is the right man to lead Australia for the Ashes," Warne wrote of the series that begins on November 25 at the Gabba in Brisbane. "It's a great opportunity for him to show his leadership and captaincy skills.

"He also looks in super touch with the bat. I am sure he's going to fill his boots this summer.

"This Ashes series is going to be the biggest of his and the Australian team's career.

"I think Ricky is at his best when he shows his Tassie devil side which is, aggressive with a dash of flair."