Warne: T20 exit could help us
Shane Warne believes Australia's early exit from the World Twenty20 could be a "blessing in disguise" ahead of this summer's Ashes.
Ricky Ponting's team were eliminated at the group stage of the limited-overs showpiece in England following defeats to West Indies and Sri Lanka in their group games.
But Warne reckons the extra preparation time may prove a surprise bonus.
"I think in a way, it's a blessing in disguise," he said. "We can now focus in on the Ashes. I wish we were still in the ICC World Twenty20, because it's a wonderful game to play.
"It's an important form of the game in cricket, but now you have to look at the positives. And the positives are that our guys can prepare for the Ashes in the next couple of weeks.
"Those warm-up games they've got. All their talking will focus and preparation would be on the Ashes."
This will be the first Ashes campaign Warne has not played in since 1990-91, but the man who has tormented the English for much of the past two decades believes Australia have the edge heading into the series.
"Everyone has sort of forgotten there was an Ashes series in Australia after the 2005 one, (when) England outplayed us and they deserved to win," he said.
"After that the Australian team was hurt. We wanted to play well, we wanted to give it to the Poms and we beat them 5-0 (in 2006-07).
"I think we're going in as favourites. I think we're the best side. It's just who plays better. I think they are two evenly matched sides. England has got some match winners. A lot will depend on the conditions."
Warne , meanwhile, claims a lack of exposure to Twenty20 cricket was the major factor in Australia's failure to make it past the first stage of the World Twenty20.
Warne, who led the Rajasthan Royals during the recent Indian Premier League tournament in South Africa, reckons circumstances have not allowed Australia's best players to get reasonable game time in the shortest form of the sport.
Australians played a minimal role in the recent IPL as they were in the UAE for a series against Pakistan, while the current international summer schedule makes it hard for them to play domestic Twenty20 cricket.
"I think our guys don't have the exposure of playing Twenty20. With the international schedule, it's very hard to do that," Warne said.
"Ideally, we'd love our international guys to play more Twenty20 in our domestic Big Bash competition, because it's a great competition to play in."
The 39-year-old says Twenty20 is an enormously tactical game and admits the Australia team, having played very little of it, have struggled to get the best out of their talent in that format.
"I don't think we understand the tactics of Twenty20 enough," he said.
"We didn't play a spinner in the first Twenty20 game. If you look at all the other teams, the spinners are doing pretty well."
But he has backed Australia's future in Twenty20, saying the more experience the best players get the better they will become.
"I'm sure Australia will get it, because we've got some wonderful players and they will understand it," he said.
"Australia will be a very good side in Twenty20, it just may take a bit of time."
With crucial players like Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag, Daniel Vettori and Kevin Pietersen nursing injuries, is the slam-bang version of cricket starting to take its toll on the players? You know where to write in with your thoughts. Write in to us at: fanspeak@espnstar.co.in
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