Warne mentors Aussies ahead of Test
Shane Warne celebrated 20 years since his Ball of the Century on Wednesday, by rolling the arm over again at Old Trafford and playing mentor to Australia’s under-pressure spinners in their time of need.
At Australia’s final training session before the must-win third Test at Manchester starting tonight, Steve Smith’s fitness test batting in the nets was the main talking point.
That was until another blond, wearing all black, strode into the Old Trafford nets like it was 1993.
Watch the ball of the century one more time.
Cameras jostled for positions as word spread that the king of spin was back in camp at his field of dreams.
“The wicket is the other way around though, so it’s a bit different to 20-odd years ago,” said Warne of the newly configured Old Trafford.
“But it’s always a nice place to be here, and it always brings back nice memories that’s for sure.”
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Warne spent time shaking hands and chatting with old mates Darren Lehmann, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, before it was time to get down to business.
He talked at length to Nathan Lyon as the offspinner sent some balls down.
Then the rain hit and Warne dodged the notorious Manchester weather as well as the media on his way to the indoor nets.
There he grabbed a cherry and started bowling to Clarke in the nets.
When he’d had his fun, Warne watched as Lyon and 19-year-old Ashton Agar ran through their paces.
Warne and Clarke then held an involved 30-minute discussion with Lyon and Agar, where they discussed topics like the importance of field placings and sustaining pressure on batsmen.
“There was nothing technical or anything like that. Just the way they think and some observations and encouragement. They looked pretty good actually,” Warne said.
“It was more … when certain things happen, what you can turn to. Different things when you haven’t got rhythm. Just general cricket stuff more than anything exciting.
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“I’ve done it for 25 years, I’m sure I’ve got a little knowledge I can help them with.”
Warne said Clarke and Lehmann are two of his best mates and he’ll be back “anytime” he’s needed.
In Lyon and Agar, Australia have two promising prospects, but right now, they appear to be fighting a losing battle in the spin department against England.
They could certainly do with Warne being a regular visitor.
The legspinning great said he didn’t detect desperation in the Australian side, who are 2-0 down in the Ashes and fighting to avoid series defeat and their worst ever losing run in Test cricket.
Warne hasn’t lost any of his cocky belief when it comes to facing England and believes Australia can still win the series.
“Are you laughing?” he asked a journalist.
“I think they can.
“This sort of wicket will definitely be a result, that’s for sure, as long as it doesn’t rain all the time.
“I think Australia are a good chance and if goes 2-1 into Durham – where anything can happen up there – they are back in the series.
“I’m sure the Australian team are thinking if everyone thinks they’ve got no chance, they’ve got every chance.”
