'Smith's non-availability is a huge loss'

MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne on Saturday described as "huge loss" the non-availability of their opener Graeme Smith for Sunday's Indian Premier League summit clash due a hamstring injury.

"It's unfortunate Graeme Smith has got injured. It's a huge loss for us. He's been in good form and one of the reasons for us being in the final. He's formed a successful opening combination with Swapnil Asnodkar, whom we call a Goa cannon," the leg spin legend said ahead of the tie.

"We have not yet decided who will open the innings on Sunday. We expect that person (either Kamran Akmal or Younis Khan) to step on to the plate and do well," he said.

Warne said his team always focused on its own strengths rather than the opposition's and thus were not concerned who, from amongst Chennai Super Kings and Punjab King's XI, would line up against them at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai to fight for the top prize of USD 1.2 million.

"Both Chennai and Mohali are excellent teams and whoever comes through will give us a tough fight. We don't believe in focusing on the opposition and prefer to focus on our own strengths.

"If we play like we have done so far in the tournament, including yesterday (against Delhi Daredevils) then the results will be in our favour," said the former Australian Test and ODI player.

Warne said the support he and his team got from the Mumbai crowd last night against Virender Sehwag's Delhi was fantastic and probably had something to do with the fact that Sachin Tendulkar is his close friend.

"The support we got yesterday was fantastic. It was a wonderful feeling that the crowd was behind us. Yes, Sachin is a very good friend of mine and this is Mumbai. I hope the crowd would continue to support us tomorrow," he said.

Warne said that the wicket at D Y Patil would favour the pacers more than the track he encountered yesterday at the Wankhede Stadium in the semi final.

"The wicket yesterday helped spinners a lot. The ball was turning square. But the wicket at the D Y Patil has helped seamers more. It's a bit up and down. We have a well-balanced attack to do well there", he said though Rajasthan had lost their previous tie there to Mumbai Indians.

Warne said he would prefer a spinner to return with figures of 2 for 35 rather than 0 for 22, but others may have a different opinion.

"I think if the spinner can chip in with some wickets and end up with say 2 for 35 after the pace bowlers have taken early wickets, it's better than finishing with 0 for 22. But others may think differently," he said.

Warne also had a dig at the England and Wales Cricket Board for not allowing its players to play in the IPL by saying they should not keep their head buried in the sand and instead, look at the reality.

"The IPL is here to stay. I hope the ECB sees its bright future and not have their head buried in the sand. There's no doubt that IPL is the best way to sell cricket worldwide," the leg spin legend said.

Warne again reiterated that the IPL's duration, 44 days in the first season, should be shortened to 30 days in future.

"The IPL should be held over just four weeks, starting in April and ending on May 1. Then all the players can be given 10 days' break before plunging into international cricket," he said.

Warne again emphasised that a coach was needed at the junior level to develop the cricketers and not at the international level.

"A coach is needed for the development of players at the junior level and also at the domestic cricket level, but not at the international level where there's nothing to do about technique but everything about man management.

"I borrow (former Aussie captain) Ian Chappell's words to say that a coach at the international level is what transports players from hotel to ground and back," he said.