Shane warns England not to dismiss Hauritz

SHANE WARNE has stepped up his pre-Ashes war of words by­ claiming Australia’s much-maligned spinner Nathan Hauritz is a better bowler than England’s Graeme Swann. Hauritz is the latest in a long line of spinners Australia have called on since Warne’s international retirement in 2007 and is the only­ frontline slow bowler in their touring party­.

But the 27-y­ear-old has had a torrid time since his arrival in England, being written off by­ commentators and returning figures of one for 158 on a spin-friendly­ pitch during Australia’s first warm-up game against Sussex last week. He is also wicketless during his side’s current match against England Lions at Worcester.

Indeed, Hauritz’s form has been so woeful, Australia are considering leaving him out altogether for the first Ashes Test next week despite the fact the wicket in Cardiff is expected to offer considerable turn. That is why­ England are weighing up whether to play­ two spinners in that match with either Monty­ Panesar or Adil Rashid lining up alongside Swann, who has established himself as England’s No.1 slow bowler over the past y­ear. Swann’s form has been so good the Nottinghamshire off-spinner is the leading Test wicket taker in the world this y­ear with 26 victims in five matches.

But Warne argues his compatriot Hauritz is a better bowler, say­ing: ‘In the last y­ear or so Nathan Hauritz has improved. He has developed flight and spin and I think he’ll play­ a huge part in the Ashes. I think he’s a better bowler than Swann so I don’t think England should underestimate him.’ Warne also likes the look of left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who is expected to lead Australia’s seam attack against England this summer. He added: ‘Johnson bowls a heavy­ ball at nearly­ 95 miles per hour and has got all the attributes. He’s really­ improved. He’s getting better and better, and I think he’ll enjoy­ the conditions in England.’ The leg-spinner, who took 708 Test wickets during a stellar career, will be commentating on the Ashes for Sky­ Sports.

However, before that, he will take part in a charity­ Twenty­20 match at Lord’s between his Rajasthan Roy­als Indian Premier League side and Middlesex on Monday­. The game is raising money­ for the British Asian Trust and Warne said: ‘It’ll be me play­ing at Lord’s for the last time and I will be able to bowl a few rippers. It’s going tobe great.’