‘David Hasselhoff of cricket’ Swann key to England’s Ashes victory, says Warne
November 5th, 2010 - 5:14 pm ICT by ANISydney, Nov 5(ANI): Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has said that off-spinner Graeme Swann holds the key to England’s chances of winning the upcoming Ashes series.
England have arrived Down Under to defend the urn they claimed with a 2-1 success on home soil last year.
“Graeme Swann is England’s key and he will thrive on that. He will enjoy being the man. He is going to stroll around like David Hasselhoff,” the Daily Express quoted Warne, as saying.
“To me, he is probably the best spinner in the world and probably the most improved cricketer in the world too. England have to make sure he is standing up for the Tests. If he breaks a leg they’re in big trouble.”
“In Australia you need a slow bowler that can take lots of wickets because the pitches all spin. Swann has to take 25 wickets,” he added.
The 41-year-old further believes that rest of England’s bowling resources will fail in Australian conditions.
“I don’t think England have an unbelievable attack. Australia aren’t going to struggle against the new ball,” Warne said.
“Jimmy Anderson’s record has improved, but it is horrible in Australia because the ball does not swing here,” he added.
The first of the five Ashes Tests will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from November 25 to 29.
It will be followed by Tests in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
The tour also has two Twenty20 clashes and a seven-match ODI series. (ANI)
- Warne's 'key to Ashes victory' compliment adding no extra pressure: Swann - Nov 09, 2010
- England may use Swann to test Aussie patience levels during Ashes: Arthur - Oct 31, 2010
- Panesar, Tremlett recalled in England's 16-man squad for Ashes - Sep 24, 2010
- Swann's 'brilliant off-break' dubbed English "ball of 21st century" - Aug 10, 2010
- Gilchrist says England favourites but not guaranteed the Ashes - Nov 17, 2010
- England has best chance in 24 years to wrest Ashes Down Under: Warne - Jul 07, 2010
- England to aim for Ashes series win in Sydney - Jan 01, 2011
- Getting Hussey early key to England winning New Year Ashes Test: Swann - Jan 01, 2011
- Australia holds slight Ashes edge over England: Waqar - Nov 21, 2010
- England must dominate all forms of game to be declared a great team: Pringle - Jan 09, 2011
- Ponting reminds England not to 'forget packing the urn' in Ashes message on Big Ben! - Oct 28, 2010
- Underwood backs Swann to overhaul record of most successful English spinner - Oct 03, 2010
- Winning Adelaide Test will be Ponting's greatest challenge: Warne - Dec 01, 2010
- Broad wants to 'throw the first punch' in Ashes sledgefest - Oct 27, 2010
- Swann can turn Ashes series in England's favour: Lee - Oct 17, 2010
Tags: australian leg, big trouble, bowling resources, clashes, cricket, cricketer, daily express, david hasselhoff, gabba, home soil, jimmy anderson, nov 5, odi series, perth, pitches, shane warne, swann, sydney nov, urn, wickets