The aura of invincibility associated with an Australian side might have been gone after the loss to India, but Shane Warne feels that the Aussies are still the world's number one team.
LONDON: The aura of invincibility that was associated with an Australian side might have been gone after the 0-2 series loss to India, but spin legend Shane Warne feels that the Aussies are still the world's number one team.
"There has been a huge amount of talk this week about eras ending and dynasties toppling after India's win in the Test series. I can understand where they are coming from, but writing off Australia is a bit premature," Warne said.
"The aura of invincibility that we carried in the eyes of the opposition has probably gone. Teams think they can beat us now, and belief is so important in sport.
"But to me, Australia are still the best side in the world. We just need a bit of spark to get things going again," the leg spinner wrote in 'The Times'.
"If cricket imitated boxing, the series was the equivalent of a heavyweight title bout and, yes, India would have taken the belt.
"But our sport doesn't work like that. Conditions are different all over the world and you have to look at how countries go against each other home and away over a period of time before weighing everything up," he added.
Warne said Australian batting is as strong as any Australian team of the past but the wanning of supremacy was due to weakening of the bowling resources.
"I think that the Australian batting is as strong as ever -- as long as Matty Hayden and Ricky Ponting are in top form. Shane Watson is coming through, Mike Hussey is very solid and consistent, while Michael Clarke is at the top of his game. We went well past 400 in Bangalore and nearly reached 600 in Delhi, so there isn't a problem there.
"The big question is the ability to take 20 wickets. Jason Krejza getting 12 on his debut is a great start and he is worth a run as the spin bowler. We need Brett Lee to fire and find some form. Stuart Clark will be effective again in Australian conditions and I hope that Mitchell Johnson keeps improving.
"Ricky's problem has been controlling games in the field now that he doesn't have somebody like Glenn McGrath or probably myself to call upon."
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