`Australia capable of reclaiming No.1 Test team spot'

Sydney, Dec 21 (IANS) Spin legend Shane Warne feels the current Australian team is capable of claiming the number one spot in the Test rankings.

Australia’s performance is one the rise after the Ashes victory and Warne says the existing squad should not be tinkered with.

“I think Australia can get back to No.1,” Warne was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald Friday.

“The spine of the team now, when you think of the inclusions of (David) Warner and Mitchell Johnson, they’ve added an X-factor with the bat and the ball.

“That spine of the team is doing well and now we’re seeing (Steve) Smith and other guys come in, hopefully it’s the start of something special.

“I don’t think it was winning the Ashes, I think it’s more important that it’s the start of something pretty special for this run of the Australian cricket team,” he said.

Though the likes of Chris Rogers, Brad Haddin, Clarke, Shane Watson, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson are in their 30s, Warne asserted it was not the time to experiment.

“I’d be keeping the foot on the throat. Ashes series are always pretty special and I think if we start messing around with the team too much you can get yourself in trouble.

“It’s a good opportunity if someone has got a bit of an injury or is 50-50 to try someone else you’re looking at, whether it’s a batsman or a bowler. But I wouldn’t be tweaking it too much.”

Warne said that Cricket Australia had justified its decision to sack coach Mickey Arthur weeks before the start of the away Ashes in August, replacing the South African with former Australia batsman Darren Lehmann.

“The Mickey Arthur situation is something that everybody looks back on and doesn’t feel very good about.

“I don’t think he handled himself the best there. But I think it was good they moved so swiftly. When you get someone that’s right to do it, then it’s good to act pretty quickly. They acted pretty quickly and the results are starting to show,” said Warne.