Warne spins England out of control

SHANE WARNE chose his farewell Test in England to deliver another telling display and leave the English struggling to reach an imposing total at The Oval in the deciding Ashes Test.

Due to celebrate his 36th birthday on Tuesday, he may not possess the same variety of delivery that he did when he first toured in England back in 1993, but Warne chose the opening day of the crucial final Test to demonstrate he still has enough guile to deliver when it matters.

Warne’s five for 118 helped restrict England to 319 for seven, a modest score on a batsman-friendly wicket.

His performance also typified Australia’s statement of intent for a Test which they must win if they are to prevent England from winning the Ashes for the first time since 1986-7.

Had England batted with more discipline on a good surface they could have reached a first-innings total of more than 450 and almost bat Australia out of the match.

Instead, Warne claimed the 31st five-wicket haul of his phenomenal career and despite Andrew Strauss claiming another century, by the close Australia were firmly in control.

England had enjoyed a profitable start with Marcus Trescothick and Strauss combining to forge an 82-run opening stand which appeared to have laid the foundation for a major first-innings total.

They were so dominant, Australian captain Ricky Ponting was forced to turn to Warne in only the 14th over of the innings.

Warne took only 15 balls to find his range, ending Trescothick’s innings seven runs short of his half-century when he edged outside off-stump low to Matthew Hayden at slip, the first of four wickets for 16 runs in 49 balls either side of lunch.

Captain Michael Vaughan was next to go, after progressing to 11, he gifted Warne his second wicket by pushing straight to Michael Clarke at mid-wicket.

Not for the first time this series, Warne was the saviour for Australia and his successful lbw appeal against Ian Bell for a duck ended eight scratchy minutes at the crease for the Warwickshire batsman.

England’s capitulation continued after the interval with Kevin Pietersen using a little too much aggression against Warne and was bowled hitting across the line just seven overs after lunch.

While his team-mates struggled to make an impression, Strauss had looked composed and was in desperate need of a partner to guide England towards a respectable total at best.

That was once again provided by Andrew Flintoff.

Forced to play a disciplined innings by the situation, Flintoff combined intelligently with Strauss to forge a 143-run stand which frustrated Australia for 37 overs and helped guide the Middlesex left-hander past his century.

Strauss was happy to play a supporting role at times to Flintoff’s powerful strokeplay.

Just as the crowd began savouring the possibility of another Flintoff century, he attempted a late glance off Glenn McGrath and was caught low at slip by Warne for 72, which included a six and 12 other boundaries.

His demise prompted an untimely loss of three wickets in nine overs with Collingwood falling six overs later, unluckily given leg before to Shaun Tait, while Warne returned to end Strauss’ long defiance with a catch at silly point.

Strauss, who hit 17 boundaries during his superb 129, provided Warne with his fifth wicket and left him needing only three more victims to have claimed the most England Test wickets in history, eclipsing Dennis Lillee’s total of 167.