Rediff

Melbourne, Feb 5: Legendary spinner Sharne Warne's coach and former Australian leg spinner, Terry Jenner gave accolades to Indian leggie Amit Mishra, who made a successful debut post-Anil Kumble's retirement from first class cricket.

"I liked the way Mishra broke in to big time cricket. He showed the Aussie selectors that it is not the fast bowlers alone who could win matches. Mishra gave more air to the ball and made the Australian batsmen think twice to take a shot at him," Jenner, who is here to train 26 spinners, including three girls, at the MAC Spin Foundation, told a press conference.

Pointing out that the Australian squad had dropped from their world ranking, Jenner said "Mishra came good for India and I was excited to watch the way he bowled on his debut. He should be protected by the captains."

Comparing the present situation in his country, Jenner said, "Ricky Pointing is presently struggling to get the best of his spinners and expect them to be economical even in test matches.

"A spinner has to lure the batsmen to come out and play and give runs but if he is able to take a wicket in every eight overs, that spinner will turn out to be the best. A spinner needed to be given longer spells so that they mature."