London, Jul 16 (IANS): Australian spin legend Shane Warne feels that the third seamer will be England's weak spot in the forthcoming four-match Test series against India starting Thursday.
"Throw in (Chris) Tremlett with his height and steep bounce, James Anderson's skill of swinging the ball and Graeme Swann as the best spinner in the game and it all looks good. England just need to find the right person to fit in the third seamer's role and then there will be no weak spot in the team," Warne was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.
Stuart Board and Tim Bresnan were involved in a contest to fill in the third seamer's role. But Broad is expected to fill in the slot after he performed well for Nottinghamshire against Somerset. Broad bowled 53.4 overs across two innings for Nottinghamshire and picked up six wickets while Bresnan took four wickets in Yorkshire's victory over Worcestershire.
Broad struggled at first but settled while Bresnan began strong but went wicketless from 22 overs in the second innings.
Warne feels that if Broad get the nod he should find out his role in the team.
"For England to take the next step it is about patience when they are bowling. That means they have to be more consistent. Stuart Broad also needs to work out what his role is. Is he the enforcer? I think he bowls way too short. When he pitches it up, he nips it and swings it and looks dangerous. He has not got any patience when he bowls," said Warne.
The Australian is happy that Tremlett has developed as a mature bowler.
"It is good to see the penny finally drop. Being the leader of the attack at Surrey has probably helped him. He has also realised that it is now or never. If he did not seize the chance he would have been pushed to one side and known as one of those guys who had all the talent but did not quite make it. If they can find that patience and if Andrew Strauss can be a little bit more pro-active rather than being safe and conservative that will rub off on the rest of the team," he said.
Warne also said that with Ian Bell finding form England's batting looks strong against India.
"He (Bell) has always been able to play. I think he just needed to convince himself he was good enough at this level. Seeing him play over the last two years he has looked a quality player. If you put Bell in form, Cook, Trott, Strauss, Pietersen with the x-factor and Morgan's variety together then suddenly you have got a hell of a top six," he said.