Spin legend to impart his wisdom of the game on the current crop of players.
Just when England thought they were rid of Shane Warner for good, the spin legend is back.
While he won’t be pulling on the whites for the upcoming Ashes series, Warne is expected to be a regular around the Australian side after accepting an advisory role from new head coach Darren Lehmann.
Warne played down the impact he’s likely to have but added he was more than happy to help out where he could as his countrymen attempt to win back the Ashes.
“It was very nice of Darren and Michael Clarke to say they would like me to be involved with the Australian team,” Warne said.
“I am always there to help any Australian cricketer and always have been. If I need to be around at practice to have a chat with the boys about tactical stuff or bowling, then I will do that.
“It’s good to be part of the set-up but, most of the time, my role will be informal, catching up on the phone or chatting over a drink or meal.
“I do not need a fancy job title to help out.”
Warne, who has a noted history of disliking coaches who rule sides with an iron fist, said Lehmann will bring a drastically different tone to the Australian side.
“He has an excellent cricket brain and a calm way of going about things. This will be infectious to the team,” the spin great said of Lehmann.
“He loves talking about cricket – his outlook will help the team feel a lot more relaxed about everything.
“Boof likes to sit around after play and debrief the day, talking about what everyone has learned.
“I remember, during the late 1990s, when I was captain of Victoria and he led South Australia. It was the start of the new age with players quick to get out of the dressing room. We made a pact to get back to the old days. When we walked out to the toss, we said after each day’s play, whichever team fields comes into the other dressing room after play to talk cricket.
“We would often go home at midnight in taxis.”
England will take on Australia in the first Test of the series when the action kicks off on July 10 at Trent Bridge.
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