Warne happy to prove a point

Shane Warne, adapting to a new role in Australia's side, was delighted to prove a point with five England wickets for 71 in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on Thursday.

"I worked pretty hard at the start of this tour on batting, bowling, catching and fitness. Sometimes you don't see the rewards but today I did," the leg-spinner said..

"With the three quality quicks my role is different but you have to accept that, though it takes a time to get used to it. With the bowlers we've got you are going to share the wickets around most of the time.

"So I wanted to prove a few things today and to get five wickets in the first Test, including a wicket second ball, and a catch makes things pretty good, so I'm very happy with the performance.

"I bowled the same stuff today as ever. I got a couple of wickets with good balls and I thought the ball to get (Usman) Afzaal was pretty good after deciding to bowl round the wicket.

"And with Craig White I stayed around the wicket, tried to get him to sweep and then set him up with a straight one."

Warne had a moderate tour of India earlier in the year, taking 10 wickets at 50.50 in the three-Test series, but has a proven track record in England where he is making his third Test tour.

"I always enjoy playing here. It brings out the best in me," he said.

"I was surprised how dry the wicket was but it was good to see the ball turning on day one, and there was a bit of bounce as well."

Mail Cricket Editor