Warne shoulders spin burden

Shane Warne will be forced to do the work of three Indian men as Australia feel the full ramifications of the contentious decision to sack their second-best spinner when the first Test starts at Chinnaswamy Stadium tomorrow.

If there is one pitch on earth that warrants Australia resting a paceman and playing two slow bowlers it is this dry and dusty patch of dirt, but Stuart MacGill, the next best option, was omitted from the touring party for the youngsters Nathan Hauritz and Cameron White. Neither Hauritz nor White appear ready for a Test debut, leaving MacGill and his army of supporters completely nonplussed and Warne facing a massive workload as he chases Muttiah Muralitharan's world record of 532 wickets.

"The conditions here are so hot that sometimes you can't execute what you want, but this is the first time I have come to this country fit and raring to go," Warne, who averages 55.45 from 11 Tests against India, said. "I don't feel as if I have something to prove. I have been inconsistent here, I've had some absolute shockers, but it doesn't mean I can't bowl."

The pitch has prompted India to flag the selection of three spinners in Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble and Murali Kartik because conditions will suit them, but also so they can be rotated and kept fresh.

Warne, six wickets shy of Muralitharan's record, will have no such luxury. He will have to toil away in an energy-sapping environment against world-class batsmen while the part-timers Darren Lehmann, Simon Katich and probable debutant Michael Clarke provide only temporary relief. Australia's fast bowlers will operate from the other end.

Warne has dismissed India's premier batsman, Rahul Dravid, more times than any other Test bowler and the result of their head-to-head battle will go a long way towards determining the result of this match and the series. "You have to get him early," said Warne. "I've gotten him a few [seven] times in Tests and most times, it has been bowled or caught behind. That's just the way he plays early, he opens up. I can get him by drifting the ball across him, but he is playing better than ever so it won't be easy."

Anil Kumble said that Warne deserved the world record. "He's been a great bowler for Australia, and for all legspinners," said Kumble, who has 397 Test wickets. "Everybody looks up to him, even I look up to him. He's a wonderful ambassador for spin and it's really nice he's come back to the Aussie squad. We're really looking forward to the challenge of facing him."

MacGill would have been a tantalising selection option, but in his absence Lehmann, who will bat at No. 5, is the most proficient of Australia's part-time spinners. "I'd prefer not to bowl too much," Lehmann said. "That would be a great scenario because it would mean the rest are bowling pretty well and taking wickets. But because it's so hot here I'll probably have to do a bit of bowling. It's an opportunity to give Shane a rest."

Lehmann has 13 wickets from 20 Tests at an average of 22.08. Those respectable figures are under siege.