Defensive captains behind lack of world class leg-spinners: Warne

Johannesburg: Shane Warne has admitted he is concerned with the moribund art of leg-spin, adding modern-day captains` defensive mindset is the main reason behind the lack of world-class leg spinners in cricket these days.

Five slow bowlers feature in the top 10 Test bowlers` list but none are leg-spinners, who seem to be being overshadowed by their left-arm and off-spinning cousins. Warne blamed the defensive mindset of captains as the primary reason for the decline of the craft he mastered and glamourised in his illustrious 15-year-old career. The spin great admitted without trying to be arrogant about it, it`s hard and that is why they are not seeing a lot of leg-spinners around the world. Warne said it is difficult in this age of cricket because so much Twenty20 and so much relying on economy rate. Warne added what made it tough was the attitude of the captains even at junior level, which is in stark contrast with the skippers he and his contemporary Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble, bowled under. The Oz legend said they (young leg-spinners) get hit for too many sixes, the captain takes them off and goes back to the medium pace bowler with a ring field to get the economy rate down and these guys lose interest. Warner, who is not a great fan of the line-and-length bowler, added they are going for left-arm spinners and off-spinners that bowl accurate and maintain good economy rate. ANI