The Ashes 2017-18: Shane Warne reckons Australia must unleash Bodyline bowling on England’s soft middle order
Warne reckons the tourists could be susceptible to the Gabba's unpredictable bounce in the First Ashes Test
SHANE WARNE reckons Australia need to up their body count if they are to get into the heads of England during the First Ashes Test in Australia.
The legendary Aussie spin star is confident the hosts will keep the Gabba as the fortress of cricket it has been for nearly three decades – with the tourists failing to win at the ground since 1988.
But so much will depend on who wins the toss tonight in Brisbane, when the series gets underway at midnight UK time.
Warne said: “Australia can blow this very good England team out of the water at the Gabba with a strategic blast of Bodyline bowling.
“All the verbals in the lead-up to the first Test have been fun but it’s time to let the battle of bat, ball and tactics begin.
“For Steve Smith and his terrific pace trio the opportunity presents to put England on the back foot early and keep them there for the entire series.”
The Gabba is well known for changing in nature over four or five days of a Test match, with bounce really coming to the fore after a few sessions.
But as Nasser Hussain’s England discovered in the 2002-03 Ashes, putting the Aussies in to bat can be a mistake – as that day they amassed 364-2 and the tourists dropped several catches.
Warne told Sydney’s : “When Smith and Root walk out to toss the coin, in the back of their mind will be the thought, this might be a handy one to lose.
“They’ll be thinking: ‘I wouldn’t mind having a bowl here, but I know if I win the toss I’ll have to bat.’
“Choosing to bowl here, of course, comes with risks — just ask Nasser Hussain.
England's Ashes Test schedule
Nov 23-27 First Test (Brisbane) – midnight
Dec 2-6 Second Test (Adelaide) – 4am
Dec 14-18 Third Test (Perth) – 2.30am
Dec 26-30 Fourth Test (Melbourne) – 11.30pm (Xmas Day)
Jan 4-8 Fifth Test (Sydney) – 11.30pm (Jan 3 GMT)
Times in GMT
“The first session will be tough but after that the pitch should be great to bat on, then it really quickens up before starting to spin big late on day four and into day five.
“Opposition camps generally are surprised by the big change at the Gabba.
“The bounce is really something — you get a lot of catches close to the wicket — which is part of the reason why the Gabba was my most successful Test venue in Australia. I loved playing here.
“Whatever happens in the first session, even the first hour of the first session, can set the tone for the rest of the series.”
Meanwhile, the 48-year-old backed England to give Australia a far closer run than in 2013-14, if their two best players perform.
He added: “If England is to win this series their best two players have to play out of their skin.
“Root has to have the series of his life with the bat and he will have a few demons from his last visit Down Under when he was dropped and didn’t cope with the pace and bounce of the Aussie pitches.
“Jimmy Anderson has to make his last Ashes series in Australia the best series he has ever had in an England shirt. He needs to lead the way with his bowling and especially his body language.
“Trust me here, England has a real chance in this series as they are a hungry team and ranked second in the world to the Aussies’ fifth.
“If they can turn history on its head here in Brisbane this could be an epic series as I already fancy the visitors in Adelaide.
“But none of this happens if the Aussies can literally put the Poms on the back foot from the word go.”
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