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Australian spin king Shane Warne on Wednesday rated England’s underperforming Test side stronger than the one that sprang a surprise Ashes series win over Australia last year.

Warne predicted England would mount a staunch Ashes defence when international cricket’s oldest rivalry resumes later this month, saying the side touring Down Under was stronger than the one that ended an 18-year Ashes drought in September 2005.

Warne said he was not underestimating England, even though since the Ashes defeat Australia have swept aside all comers in the Test arena, while England has displayed indifferent form.

“The Ashes always brings out the best in both teams, no matter how poor one of the sides are playing,” he told reporters. “At the moment, England aren’t playing as good as they would like but at the end of the day it’s all about how they play during this series. They’ve got some match-winners there and I’m sure they’ll be looking to entertain and play well,” he added.

Warne said England campaigners from the last series such as batsman Kevin Pietersen and captain Andrew Flintoff now had more experience, with the latter well rested after an injury-enforced layoff.

Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker was also impressed with England’s Ashes debutants, spinner Monty Panesar and wicketkeeper Chris Read. “The two key areas in Australia are the wicket-keeping department and the spin bowling department,” said Warne, who hopes to become the first bowler to claim 700 wickets during the upcoming series.

“I think everyone realises that Chris Read is the best keeper in England and Monty Panesar is a match-winning spinner, he’s shown this summer that he’s an attacking spinner who can win you games,” he explained.

Warne said England’s selectors had to weigh Panesar’s attacking prowess with the added protection his main rival for the spinner’s spot, Ashley Giles, could offer the batting line-up.

Unlike previous Ashes series, Warne has not attempted to develop a mystery ball for the upcoming clash, saying success would be a matter of hard graft and meticulous application of an armoury now familiar to his opponents. “There’s no mysteries, they know what they expect from me and what I bowl,” he said.

Source:The News