England didn't deserve to win Ashes: Warne

Former leg-spinner Shane Warne has claimed that England did not deserve to win the Ashes and feels that Australia was the more dominant team in the five-match series which the visitors lost 1-2.

Warne pointed out that a combination of great English bowling spells, critical umpiring decisions and poor Australian batting at times cost the tourists over the last few weeks.

''You don't mind being beaten in any sport if a side outplays you on the day or over a series, then so be it,'' said Warne. ''I suppose the hardest thing for all us Australians was to watch them play and lose to England, who I didn't think was a better side. ''You look at all the numbers, the runs and wickets, we dominated all that sort of stuff, but through a few different things here and there ... it probably cost us. I don't think England were a better side than us, no way, but you have to say `well played' to England because they won. I'm looking forward to them coming out here in 18 months,'' Warne was quoted as saying by AAP.

The legendary leg-spinner further added that there was hardly a point to play a seven-match ODI series after five Tests and two Twenty20 internationals but said he was still enjoying Australia's domination over England.

After last night's victory, Australia is leading the series 5-0.

''It's great to see them playing well,'' Warne said adding, ''If you look at the one-day side they (England) have at the moment, there's not one player ... where you (think) `oh, I don't want to bowl to him, I'm afraid of him. They have a pretty poor side and Australia are starting to hit their straps, they were hurting after the Ashes - it's good to see them bounce back and play well.'' The 40-year-old Warne was also unsure whether he will continue to play after his contract with Rajasthan Royals which will expire after a year.

Warne said he was looking forward to fellow master spinner Muttiah Muralitharan playing for Victoria this summer in the Twenty20 Big Bash domestic competition. ''Having `Murali' there is going to add a lot of excitement, there's a big Sri Lankan community here, so they're going to really get behind the Vics,'' Warne said. ''He's been booed a few times in Australia, so he might get a few cheers this time, which will be nice.''

-- (UNI) -- 16SPD14.xml

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