No disgrace losing to India, SA: Warne

[Feed]

Spin legend Shane Warne says Australia should not feel disgraced losing to teams like India and South Africa as they played better cricket in the Test series last year. More... Best form of defence is attack By Shane Warne January 01, 2009 12:00am AFTER Australia's two losses to South Africa, I reckon the Australian bowlers need to have more imagination and flair - especially to the tail and when the wickets are flat. I have concerns about our ability to take 20 wickets, which is the key to winning Test matches. The bowlers can't just bowl line and length all day and hope the batsmen lose patience, chase one and nick it to the keeper or slip. They need to have the ability to bowl a hostile spell a la Merv Hughes or Glenn McGrath. There is too much emphasis on containment and protecting runs rather than attacking and trying to take wickets. If in any doubt, choose the attacking option every time. These observations are more of an approach and attitude to bowling, rather than towards any particular player or the current attack. Ricky Ponting has a good cricket brain and the bowlers must be prepared to try things, back their instincts and not rely on computer printouts. They must also have another plan . . . and after that, plans C, D, and E when the opposition digs in and the wicket is flat. The bowler must also know his fields, how to adapt and think on his feet in the middle, the time to bowl a slower ball, to roll your fingers across the ball, or hold it across the seam. They must learn how to bowl at each ground and remember it for the next time they play there. Australia are lucky they have Troy Cooley to help the bowlers because he is good. And with Tim Nielsen as coach they have someone who can bring a bit of old-school toughness. Having said all that, congratulations must go to Graeme Smith and the rest of the South African team on a truly amazing series win. To come from so far behind in both Tests and win the series on Australia's turf is no easy feat. Their country should feel very proud of their achievement. It's been 16 years since the Aussies have lost a home Test series. It felt strange sitting in the Channel 9 box watching it all unfold. Australia in those 16 years have defended their turf like a fortress and every time they've been challenged, they have had an answer. Even last summer, when Michael Clarke turned a draw into a win with three wickets in an over against India, someone has always put their hand up. More importantly, every Australian team has come up with the goods to protect their mantle when challenged. This season, though, the Aussies have given everything but they have been outplayed in the big moments, and that's the difference. Through good cricket, Australia have found themselves in winning positions but unable to throw the knockout punch. There is no disgrace in losing like in 2005, when England were the best team and deserved to win. It's the same now. South Africa deserved to win as they were the best side. India have also had enough of losing to Australia and have drawn a line in the sand. Their approach has been: "Enough is enough, we want to be the No. 1 side in the world." I wasn't surprised or shocked. Sadly, I read and heard people bagging the Australian team - and calling for the heads of players and the selectors. But now is a time the team needs support.

[DomainK]

Well written....except where he says that Ponting has a brain.

[Lord]

Well written....except where he says that Ponting has a brain.

:haha:

[Desi Cartman]

Ricky Ponting has a good cricket brain and the bowlers must be prepared to try things, back their instincts and not rely on computer printouts. They must also have another plan . . . and after that, plans C, D, and E when the opposition digs in and the wicket is flat.

[Macj]

Hehehe so losing to the Porkis is unacceptable, I can hear Pak forums bashing this LOUDLY "How dare Warne NOT include Pakistan as a nation he would happily lose to " waaaaaaah:((

[Anakin]

Hehehe so losing to the Porkis is unacceptable' date=' I can hear Pak forums bashing this LOUDLY "How dare Warne NOT include Pakistan as a nation he would happily lose to " waaaaaaah:(([/quote'] 0-9 :hatsoff: