SHARJAH: Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne on Thursday worked with Yasir Shah in the nets, saying he gave the Pakistani slow bowler advice on tactics to help down England in this week’s third Test.

Warne enjoyed tormenting England during his illustrious career, taking 195 of his 708 wickets against England, 23 in his last series at home in 2006-07.

Warne, who is here on a promotional event, spent 90 minutes with the fast-rising Pakistan spinner who took eight wickets in the second Test against England in Dubai which Pakistan won by 178 runs on Monday.

The first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi while the final Test starts in Sharjah from Saturday.

That performance rose Shah to number two in Test bowlers’ rankings, behind South African paceman Dale Steyn.

“He is a wonderful bowler,” said Warne of the 29-year-old Pakistan spinner.

“We didn’t work on any tactical thing, just worked on who he his having trouble with in the England side, some tactics and plans, how he can be a little bit better as he wants a bit more drift and bounce.”

Warne added: “We couldn’t communicate that well but when he was smiling afterwards I knew what he got was pretty good. It was a nice hour or so and that was good fun.

“He is happy and he will go away and, hopefully, in the next couple of days start ripping and getting wickets and that will be great.”

The former Australian great admitted he has been a fan of Shah, who made his mark at international level last year.

He took 12 wickets in Pakistan’s 2-0 series win over Australia in United Arab Emirates last year before taking 24 in the 2-1 win this year.

“Look I have always been a fan of Shah since the first time I saw him a while ago, probably he is the best leg-spinner in the world, the way he bowls and the way the ball comes out of his hand.”

Warne hoped the final Test would be exciting.

“It will be nice to have two leg-spinners on display,” said Warne of Shah and England’s Adil Rashid.

“I think it will be great if Yasir and Rashid go right up there on the rankings and that will bring a big smile on my face, so I hope that both do well.”

Warne hoped Rashid will learn with time.

“Rashid is also a wonderful bowler...it was tough against Pakistan’s batsmen because they did wonderfully well against the spinners, so he will learn,” said Warne of Rashid, who failed to get a wicket in the first innings of the Abu Dhabi Test but got five in the next.

Yasir said it was a dream come true for him, bowling alongside his childhood idol, Warne.

“It was a childhood wish that I could bowl with him, play with him and I was excited to have him here for me. I am very happy to know the kind of feedback he gave me and that he spoke highly of me,” said Yasir of the session.

“He emphasised that Test cricket is played with patience and I don’t need to rush and waste energy, I just need to keep myself calm.”

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2015

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