Backward glances highlight Australian problems

SO threadbare are Australia's spin bowling reserves that many Australians believe Shane Warne should make a dramatic comeback.

More than 70 per cent of readers surveyed by an Adelaide newspaper want Warne, 41, to come out of retirement.

It follows Xavier Doherty's less than impressive displays during the Ashes Tests, the left-arm spinner having made little impact.

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Doherty failed to trouble the England top-order and is barely good enough for first-class cricket.

Warne, of course, will not be returning.

Almost four years since his last Test in the final match of the 2006-07 Ashes, he now has a second career as a media pundit.

Warne has consistently brushed aside talk of a comeback and there is no reason to suppose he will change his mind.

But the very fact this issue keeps cropping up is indicative of the state of Australian cricket.

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Since Warne retired with 708 Test wickets at 25.41, Australia have employed nine different spinners.

Stuart MacGill is the only one who was genuinely world-class, but a man who spent his career in Warne's shadow retired shortly afterwards and never enjoyed an extended run.

With all due respect to Beau Casson, Jason Krezja, Bryce McGain, Cameron White, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Hogg, Steve Smith and now Doherty, none is fit to lace Warne's bootlaces – or even MacGill's for that matter.

Small wonder the Australian public clamour for the good old days.

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Nothing encapsulates Australia's fall from grace more than their lack of a world-class spinner.

It is what helped them to the top of the international tree and why they now languish fifth in the global rankings.

A country blessed with many outstanding spinners over the years is now transparently bereft of quality performers.

That Doherty – a man with a first-class bowling average of over 50 – represents practically their best option is a damning indictment of dwindling resources.

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According to pundits such as the former Australia off-spinner Greg Matthews, there is a simple reason for this sad state of affairs.

Matthews and many others believe Cricket Australia did not do enough to plan for the day when Warne and MacGill would not be around.

They feel greater efforts should have been made to coach and encourage Australia's youngsters.

Now they think the selectors are trying to shut the stable door long after the horse has bolted.

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Although more could probably have been done to work with the youngsters, there is a simpler reason for Australia's plight.

Like everything in sport, quality spin bowlers go in cycles; they do not conveniently grow on trees.

There has probably never been a bowler as good as Warne, fast or slow, while even MacGills are comparatively rare.

In an era where everyone is looking for an instant solution, the quick-fix remedy is not always available.

Australia, however, have not grasped this truth.

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Nine spinners in four years represents a turnover comparable to football management and is unlikely to produce the desired effect.

Although it does not take a genius to realise Doherty is not the answer to Australia's prayers, they could do worse than identify someone and stick with him over an extended period.

The present trend of chopping and changing benefits neither the players nor the nation.

England, in contrast, have no such concerns.

Graeme Swann is the

No 1-ranked spinner in the world and has played a significant part in their recent success.

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With the likes of Monty Panesar and Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid waiting in the wings, there is no shortage of options for the England selectors.

How Australia must cast envious glances at a side with a much more balanced and penetrative attack.

Although every team should aspire to fielding a spinner, that is not Australia's strength at the moment.

Indeed, there are those who believe they would be better off not fielding a spinner at all.

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With such as Marcus North able to provide the slow stuff if required, and with Doherty hardly a superior option, Australia could possibly opt for an extra seamer.

Long-term, however, it is not the solution.

Judging by the noises emanating from Australia, Doherty seems unlikely to play in the third Test at Perth.

Australia could possibly revert to off-spinner Hauritz or may opt to choose the leg-spinner Smith.

Neither will hold terrors for the England top-order, with the tourists having already played Smith comfortably during the match against Australia A in Hobart, where he returned a decidedly mediocre 2-118.

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Given time, Smith could possibly develop into a useful spinner, but his strongest suit appears as a batsman.

Alas, the spinner most Australians want to see has hung up his whites.

Barring a miracle, Warne will not be riding to the rescue.

At Sydney four years ago, Warne played his last Test and the king of spin departed the theatre.

It is time every Australian woke up to that reality.

Five Australian spin greats

SHANE WARNE: Arguably the greatest bowler the game has known, Warne rejuvenated the art of leg-spin. He took 708 wickets in 145 Tests at 25.41.

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CLARRIE GRIMMETT: The man credited with inventing the flipper, Grimmett was a colossus during the inter-war period, claiming 216 wickets in 37 Tests at 24.21.

BILL O'REILLY: A brisk leg-spinner who struck up a famous partnership with Grimmett, O'Reilly captured 144 wickets in 27 Tests at 22.59.

RICHIE BENAUD: Prior to his second incarnation as a respected commentator, Benaud was one of Australia's greatest leg-spinners. He took 248 wickets in 63 Tests at 27.03.

ARTHUR MAILEY: A prodigious turner of the ball who operated during the 1920s, wrist-spinner Mailey took 99 wickets in 21 Tests at 33.91.