test2wa

International Cricket

Shane Warne has told England they should pick two spinners during this summer's Ashes to reclaim the urn.

Australian spin legend Warne believes the inclusion of slow bowlers Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar would give the hosts their best chance of taking 20 wickets a Test in the much-anticipated series.

The England selectors opted only to play Swann in last week's first Test win against West Indies, when debutant seamer Graham Onions pushed his claim for a place with a five-wicket haul.

Warne believes, however, when the Ashes start in July a double-pronged spin attack would be the best option.

Swann and Panesar can be vicious

Swann and Panesar have impressed in the three Tests they have played together since last December, combining for 24 of the 49 wickets England took in those matches.

They last played together in the final Test against the West Indies in Port of Spain in March and took 10 of the 18 wickets to fall between them, almost helping England snatch an unlikely win.

"It's been a long time since English spin bowlers have had an impact on an Ashes series, but it looks as though that could change this summer," Warne wrote in his column in The Times.

"Now that Graeme Swann has established himself in the team and Monty Panesar is waiting in the wings, I think there's a real possibility that England will take on Australia with two spinners in their side.

"England have an okay team now"

"The team they're using at the moment looks OK to take on West Indies in seam-friendly conditions in early May. But come the Ashes in July, England's team would look stronger with Andrew Flintoff back from injury and Panesar recalled, provided he's bowling well."

Warne believes Swann's good record against left-handers could also prove vital.

Australia are likely to open with left-hand pair Phil Hughes and Simon Katich while Western Australian duo Mike Hussey and Marcus North should also fill key roles in the middle order.

"Swann has the added advantage that he turns the ball away from the left-handers and Australia will be bringing a few of those in their top order for the Ashes," he added.

"Aussies are suspect against spin"

"Australia's batsmen have struggled against off-spin before."

He added: "The key attribute Swann has is that he is a genuine spinner of the ball. If a bowler is giving the ball a good rip, he'll get a bit of drift in the air as well as turning it when it lands."

Yesterday Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted he expected former England captain Michael Vaughan to find his way back into the England line-up in time for the Ashes, a notion Warne agrees with.

Ravi Bopara would seemingly hold the best claim for the number three role after his century at Lord's but Warne believes his inexperience could count against him in the heat of an Ashes battle.

"Good to see Bopara make a mark"

"I'm also interested to see that Ravi Bopara has apparently been inked in as England's number three for the rest of the summer after his hundred against West Indies at Lord's," Warne wrote.

"Bopara is a good player and it's good to see a young player making his mark, but number three is a key position and the Ashes is not the place to be putting inexperienced players in crucial positions.

"For the long term, Bopara may be the right option at number three, but in the short term I'd still be looking to get Michael Vaughan back in the side if I were an England selector."