Warne’s shoes too big to fill: Aussie selector

Australia's search for Warne's successor may go on, as selectors admit they don't have a prodigal talent who can make a quick mark.

Australia’s search for Shane Warne’s successor may go on for a long time as chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has admitted that the country does not have a prodigal talent who can make a mark as quickly as the legendary leg-spinner.

As they prepared for a home Test series against India, the Australians were faced with a rare selection dilemma while picking the squad for the four matches in the absence of a spinner of Warne’s calibre.

After the flamboyant tweaker’s retirement and the next in line, Stuart MacGill, being ruled out due to an injury, the selectors were even considering an all-pace attack for the first Test in Melbourne on December 26.

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They ultimately picked Brad Hogg in the squad but doubts remain on whether he would make the cut for the playing XI.

Youngsters like Daniel Cullen and Cullen Bailey were not considered because of their inexperience and Hilditch admitted that he was yet to see a spinner as impressive as Warne.

“They’re still really young. People have to appreciate that Shane Warne being so great at such a young age is extremely rare, so they’ve got a lot of development to do and I am sure the states will be doing what they can to encourage that development,” Hilditch was quoted as saying in The Age.