England get spin Warne-ing

Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne began the mind games ahead of this week's first Ashes Test in Brisbane by warning England's batsmen that he has rediscovered the deadliest weapon in his armoury.

Warne, who has taken 685 Test wickets, claims he now has the confidence to bowl his famed flipper - a low, skidding delivery with back-spin - again. He has been unable to control the flipper properly since he broke his spinning finger six years ago.

"I am going to bowl one in my first over just to let them know that it's back," Warne told the Sydney Daily Telegraph. "I was landing two out of five - now it's closer to three, even closer to four out of five. That's what I wanted."

He added: "I haven't been able to bowl it much since I broke my spinning finger but my finger and my shoulder now feel great.

"I am feeling really good about the flipper now."

Warne claimed 40 wickets in last year's series between the two sides but it was not enough to prevent England reclaiming the Ashes.

However, the Hampshire captain claims he is now even better equipped to create panic among opposing batsmen.

"I am bowling more wrong-uns now than I ever have. They are coming out well," he added.