BBC SPORT | CRICKET | Warne's guru warns England

By BBC Sport's Robin Bailey

The man who discovered Shane Warne and nurtured his leg spinning talent believes he can again be the scourge of English batsmen this summer.

When Shane Warne recently named the three most influential people in his career, Terry Jenner, the world's leading wrist spin coach, was the first name on the list.

Jenner is so respected within the game that the England and Wales Cricket Board employed him for two years as its leg-spin consultant at roadshows and training schemes around the country.

Jenner believes Australian captain Steve Waugh was right to back Warne for the forthcoming Ashes series when critics were writing him off after a disappoiting tour of India.

Shane Warne reflects on his problems during the third Test at Chennai
Warne received rough treatment in India

Waugh's influence persiuaded the selectors to stick with Warne, despite the claims of rival Stuart MacGill, who has an impressive record of 27 wickets in four Test appearances against England at an average of 17.70.

"Steve Waugh always used to say about Shane, form is temporary, class is permanent," said Jenner.

"One thing you have got to admire Steve for is he's got the courage of his convictions."

World Cup triumph

After major shoulder surgery and two finger operations in recent years, Jenner knows Warne's performance against England could be make or break for his Test career.

But he believes Waugh will be repaid with a Warne-inspired Ashes victory.

The case for Warne is strengthened by his skill in the one-day game - he played a leading part in Australia winning the World Cup after an awful start to their campaign.

If you're a champion, you deserve a chance or two

Terry Jenner

Brilliant displays in the semi-final and final two years ago - four for 29 against South Africa and four for 33 against Pakistan - were proof of how he can turn it on in a yellow shirt.

Jenner believes the one-day game gives Warne a focus that means he should be used in seven or eight over spells in Test matches too.

Having known him since he was a teenager, Jenner understands the psyche of the man who is still an Australian hero, but whose genius has created such high expectations of his performance.

All the talk after the tour of India was of Warne's impotence against Laxman, Tendulkar and company, not about the failure of the Australian batsmen.

All in the mind

But statistics do not lie. Warne took his 300th Test wicket against South Africa back in 1998 and he's only taken 76 wicket in the three years since.

Warne took 34 wickets in the 1993 Ashes series
The young Warne on his first Ashes tour in 1993

Jenner is convinced fitness is the key to future success.

"If Shane Warne is fit then he doesn't believe he has any peer - and if he's not fit, then he comes back to the field.

"Maybe three or four weeks off can inspire him. The gift that God gave him is special. He loves playing for his country and the one thing he will want to do is beat England," he said.

"He's the greatest leg spinner ever in the game. He resurrected Test cricket when it was on the wane.

"That ball against Mike Gatting meant that all kids wanted to be like him, but he bowled so much that the wear and tear took its toll. I know he's not as good as he was in 1997, but he's still good."

England's batsmen wait to find out just how good that is.


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