Warne says 'defensive' Hauritz can be attacking bowler if shown faith in

Brisbane, July 8(ANI): Former Australian star leg-spinner Shane Warne has urged Australian skipper Ricky Ponting to include off-spinner Nathan Hauritz in the squad for the first Ashes test match, and show faith in the inexperienced bowler by using him in an attacking way.

Australia's greatest spinner said that while Hauritz has a "defensive-type" role in tests, altering it to an attacking mode, would make him more effective.

"I suppose Nathan Hauritz has bit of a reputation of being a defensive-type spinner. I think what the selectors and Ricky want is some sort of control, so if they are in trouble they can tie up an end with some defensive bowling and give the quicks a bit of rest," The Courier-Mail quoted Warne, as saying.

"But I think you can't just have a spinner like that, Nathan can be an attacking bowler. He needs the right fields, to bowl at the right times and to be shown some faith from the captain," he added.

Warne also suggested that Aussies could use Hauritz against England's dangerous batsman Kevin Pietersen, as he may lose his wicket while trying to attack the inexperienced bowler in the squad.

"When Kevin Pietersen comes in to bat I would have Mitchell Johnson at one end and Nathan Hauritz at the other end straight away. He will be tested by Johnson trying to get him out LBW and he will try to destroy Hauritz straight away," Warne said.

"When KP first gets in he is very vulnerable. That would be my plan and that shows faith in Hauritz. He has definitely improved.

He can be an attacking bowler if you show confidence in him," he added. (ANI)