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No new mysteries in Warne's Ashes bag

Shane Warne has launched a surprise Ashes tactic by deciding against a new mystery ball

Cricinfo staff
12-Apr-2005


The time of his life: Shane Warne is on a roll and enjoying his most successful phase © Getty Images
Shane Warne has launched a surprise Ashes tactic by deciding against a new mystery ball. After landing in Hampshire, where he will captain the county, Warne said he owned a greater collections of deliveries, but there would be no surprises for his final England tour.
"I know people would like me to say I'm keeping a new variation up my sleeve for the Ashes, but there is nothing at the moment," he told AFP. However, Warne was quick to remind everybody that, like Glenn McGrath, he was in his most successful playing stage.
"The best I ever bowled was in 1993 and 1998 before my operations, but in the last three or four years I have been bowling with a far greater variety of deliveries," he said. "Sometimes I even outsmart myself, but if you look at my statistics the last 30 Tests have been the most successful of my career. I got 26 wickets in Sri Lanka and another 13 or 14 in India where I normally get smashed around, and I am on a bit of a roll at the moment."
Warne, who memorably opened his 1993 tour with the "ball of the century" to Mike Gatting, said the Ashes series, which begins in July, was the most anticipated since he started playing. "In four years when Australia next come to England there will be only three or four of the present players in the side," he said. "This is definitely my last series because I will be pushing 40 next time around."
Linking with Kevin Pietersen at Hampshire, Warne is in the position of wanting a load of runs from England's new whiz kid in county games and as few as possible if he becomes an opponent. "I am only going to bowl wrong 'uns to him in the nets so he does not get to see my full range," Warne joked.
Pietersen said he looked forward to learning from Warne and his presence was a reason for his switch from Nottinghamshire. "From what I have seen already he is a great motivator and enthusiast and the other players are lifted by his presence," he said. "Everyone assumes I will be in the Ashes squad and while I would love that to happen, I am taking nothing for granted."