Cricket World Cup 2015: Shane Warne prepares Australia batsmen for India spin ambush

THERE was nothing coincidental about Shane Warne making his first appearance of the summer with the Australia cricket team on Wednesday at the SCG.

Australian captain Michael Clarke faces Shane Warne in the nets during training at the SCG ahead of tomorrow nights World Cup Semi against India. pic. Phil Hillyard

THERE was nothing coincidental about Shane Warne making his first appearance of the summer with the Australian cricket team on Wednesday at the SCG.

Fearing a spin ambush on their own turf in today’s World Cup semi-final against India, the Australian hierarchy put aside simmering tensions with Warne and asked him to provide batters with some 11th hour practice.

During the opening two weeks of the Cup, Warne was virtually at war with Darren Lehmann — for rising above his station as coach — and his fellow selectors for trying to “break” Michael Clarke.

Shane Warne shares his knowledge with Australia batsmen.

At the time, ex-greats like Steve Waugh were fearing the potential for the issue to become distracting and destabilising for the team.

That by the semi-final stage, Warne’s verbal attacks seem like water under the bridge, perhaps illustrates just how long this tournament has dragged on for.

But it’s also a credit to Lehmann’s coaching style that he doesn’t hold grudges or let differences of opinion get in the way of the pursuit of victory.

Australia captain Clarke, who was among those to face Warne, said his team aren’t concerned about the percentage of Indian fans tipped to flock through the SCG gates on Thursday.

“I think it’s fine. We’ve played in India a number of times,” he said.

But what will have Australia quivering is if the conditions also resemble the sub-continent.

As was painfully reinforced against Pakistan in the UAE next year, Australia’s batsmen struggle in turning conditions.

An SOS was put out to Warne, and the leg-spinning great answered the call.

That legendary amble to the crease was back on Wednesday as Warne bowled to his friend Clarke and other Australia batsmen during an expert net session designed to boost confidence ahead of Thursday’s battle against in-form Indian tweaker Ravi Ashwin.

Warne also tutored spinner Xavier Doherty, even though it appears certain selectors will overlook the Tasmanian for a three-pronged pace attack.

If Australia were to lose against India, the absence of a frontline spinner would be exposed as the only hole in their 15-man squad.

Australia legends Mark Waugh, Greg Blewett, Michael Clarke and Shane Warne after a nets session.

The presence of Warne was a flashback to a time when Australia didn’t have to worry about whether their spinner was up to the task.

Asked by a fan if he might strap on the boots again for the semi, Warne said:

“Yeah mate I’m ready to go … if I could move.”

Warne might not be as robust as he once was, but he was still effective — as James Faulkner found out when the spin king took his wicket to the cheers of the cricket-mad Indian fans watching from behind the nets.