New Zealand’s wicketkeeper and explosive opening batsman Brendon McCullum has said that he feels sorry for Australian spinners trying to fill-in the boots of retired great Shane Warne.

“I feel sorry for whoever it is who steps into that (spinner's) role (for Australia). I feel sorry for Haury (Nathan Hauritz) that his run came to an abrupt end,” a local website quoted McCullum, as saying.

“Shane Warne...he was the greatest spinner the game has ever seen so to follow that is always going to be tough. I guess they will find a way to develop another one somewhere along the line.”

Australian selectors have used almost a dozen spin bowling options since Warne's retirement in 2007.

Right-arm off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who made his debut in the ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka, is Australia’s latest attempt at finding a stable slow bowler.