Australia's reign is coming to an end: Warne

SYDNEY: Legendary legspinner Shane Warne doesn't believe Australia's domination of world cricket is over after India stopped them winning their 17th Test on the trot at Perth.

Congratulating Anil Kumble and India on the victory, the Australian great has said in his Daily Telegraph column that it was an impressive performance.

"I can hear all the 'Eddie the experts' saying the reign is over and the decline is upon us.

"I don't believe that for a second. India just played well and did not allow Australia to dominate -- they were up for the contest."

Warne has said that unfortunately it looked from a distance the wicket was pretty poor for conducive stroke play.

"In cricketing terms, you were never in as a batsman, hence not one batsman from either side made a century. Australia fought all the way.

"Edgbaston 2005 was never far away from my thoughts and mind -- but this time from the No. 8 position on the poker table in the main event tournament in Melbourne, and not the dressing room after my back foot had hit the stumps."

Comparing Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting's sides, Warne says both were excellent teams, though Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Brett Lee have improved to be the best in the world right now. Also, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark and Andrew Symonds are all at the top of their games, too.

"But it's still probably a bit too early to start comparing them with the Waugh brothers, the Boons and McGraths just yet."

Warne has said that cricket has not suffered skill-wise after the Sydney fiasco.

Warne does not think Australia lost their edge and were too concerned about their image going into Perth.

"Sport is about passion and attitude and knowing yourself. Australia play best when they get in the face of the opposition and are very aggressive.

"Maybe they were not as aggressive in their body language in Perth as they normally are, but I think that was the nature of this Test, in which they were behind for most of the game.

"Maybe a few things were not as they should have been in Sydney, but their body language showed me that the Australian team cared and it was important to them to win the game."

The Australia Day Test match in Adelaide, Warne believes, is going to be a cracker and he's sure the players will be looking forward to playing on a great pitch, and runs are going to flow.

"The toss is crucial in this Test, as we saw last year against England. It starts to get tough from late on day four. If India win the toss and their batting line-up fires, what a contest it will be.

"If Australia win the toss and bat well, India will be under pressure, because they have to win to level the series."

Warne thinks the ones to watch in Adelaide will be Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke with the bat and Symonds with the ball.

For India, he picks, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, and their very competitive and impressive Anil Kumble and Harbhajan with the ball.

"Congratulations to Kumble on joining the 600 wickets club. He is one of the most competitive opposition players I have ever played against, a true champion and a credit to the game and his family.

"He is very strong mentally. There were times when everyone wrote him off, but to his credit he stayed true to himself and stuck to his style. Well done, mate."

As for Adelaide, he says it is a great venue and one the players look forward to playing. "It has such a wonderful vibe and is very picturesque. Everything is there for this Test and the players are up for it. It should make for some interesting viewing."