Omitting McGain from first Test was a huge blunder, says Warne

Johannesburg, Feb.28 (ANI): Former Australian leg spinner Shane Warne believes the Australian selectors have erred hugely in not picking Victorian Bryce McGain for the first Test against South Africa.

"Bryce McGain is clearly the best spinner in Australia. I was disappointed that he was not picked for the first Test in South Africa. The South Africans don't play wristies well," Warne was quoted, as saying.

"The hardest thing is that when you're losing and the spinners are not having a big impact, they can be made the scapegoat. If they were winning they probably could have carried a McGain or a (Beau) Casson or a (Jason) Krejza. It's a tough situation for the spinners," he added.

"I would stick with one (spinner) ... and that would be Bryce McGain," Warne said, adding that he believed spinners would be the key in this year's Ashes series and the selectors had missed an opportunity to blood McGain before the first Test in July.

Warne also said that Ricky Ponting was getting better as a captain, but hinted that he might still be too conservative.

"He's improved. It's a very tough time to be captain at the moment. I'd like to see Ricky put guys in situations to try a few different things ... and maybe show more imagination at times.

But on the whole he is doing a good job," Warne said. (ANI)