Hauritz out to escape the shadow of Shane

NATHAN HAURITZ insists he can establish himself on the world stage and play a major role in helping Australia retain the Ashes. The series gets under way this morning with the first npower Test in Cardiff and Hauritz has already encountered criticism as the Aussies’ sole frontline slow bowler.

The 28-year-old off-spinner may only have played four Tests for his country so far but he has already been condemned as a pale imitation of Australia legend Shane Warne. However, the New South Wales bowler claims it is unfair to compare any of the current side to their recently retired predecessors, such as Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and, of course, Warne.

He said: ‘Even when I’m 35 and playing my last game people will still talk about Shane Warne – after all he is the best-ever leg spinner. ‘It’s great Australia have had that but there are more guys coming through. ‘For me it’s a great vote of confidence to be the only spinner on tour. Ricky Ponting is a fantastic captain and has always shown faith in my ability.’ And Hauritz, who is expected to make his Ashes debut at Sophia Gardens today, laughed off claims the tourists’ lack of quality spinners will prove to be their Achilles heel. He added: ‘It doesn’t bother me if people think we’re not strong in terms of spin.

When I’m out there it’s just me against the batter, that’s all I’m interested in. I have to just concentrate on what I can do.’

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.’

Rashid’s got all the toys, it’s time to play’

Shane Warne has urged england to be bold and select young leg-spinner Adil Rashid for the opening ashes Test in Cardiff next month. Rashid, 21, has been included in England’s 16-man pre-ashes training squad, alongside fellow spinners Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, and is also in the England Lions team to face Australia in a four-day game at Worcester starting next Wednesday.

After touring with England in the winter the Yorkshire youngster finally made his international debut in the World Twenty20, impressing in the second spinner’s role alongside Swann, and leg-spin legend Warne, who took 708 Test wickets during a glittering career for Australia, says Rashid has done enough to see off an out-of-form Panesar and take on the same role in the first ashes Test.

He said: ‘England have done well with Rashid. They’ve not rushed him and he is ready now to make that step up. ‘he’s done well in Twenty20 cricket and I believe he is ready to play in the first Test. He’s got all the toys, a good temperament and it’s time for him to play Test cricket.’

Warne, who retired from international duty after Australia’s 5-0 ashes whitewash in 2006-07, will be watching this summer’s series from the commentary box and Australia will be far poorer for his absence with a dearth of fresh spin talent meaning Nathan Hauritz is their only frontline slow bowler on tour. So do England have the advantage when it comes to spin? ‘I’m not sure about that,’ Warne added. ‘The weird thing for me is England could play two spinners in the opening Test and Australia might not play a spinner. That makes me feel pretty strange.’ While Warne praised Rashid he has been less impressed with Ravi Bopara. He laid into the essex batsman last week, claiming he was not Test class even though he scored back-to-back hundreds earlier this summer.

And Warne has renewed his attack, saying: ‘I think Bopara lacks temperament. There will be a lot of banter flying round and I think that will put him off his game. We did that when I was at Hampshire and found him easily distracted. I think he’ll struggle, he won’t get many runs.’

Australia were in transition after the likes of Warne, Glenn McGrath, adam Gilchrist, Matthew hayden and Justin Langer decided to retire but the Victorian senses a recovery. ‘The team has not performed as they would have liked, they lost to India and South Africa. But winning in South Africa was a real confidence booster,’ he added. ‘There’s no doubt there’s been a transition period over the last 18 months. But that period is now over. ‘The team might not have the names in it but they are a good side.’