Warne is the leader of pack
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
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Bruce Loudon writes in the Australian about the battle tactics for the Rajasthan Royals and how Shane Warne is code-named “The Leader of the Pack”.
Warne's leadership has followed to the letter the pre-tournament game plan he set out for the side of which he is captain-coach. He hand-delivered to each of his players a four-page document [which was published in the Hindustan Times] that set out his expectations of each and every one of them, including himself.
In the battle plan, Warne had three tasks: "(1) Spin to win. Take the big wickets and impose yourself on the contest. (2) Match-winning temperament in closing overs with the bat. (3) Marshal the troops [from] slip or short cover/mid-off."
In the Herald Sun Robert Craddock says the Indian Premier League has confirmed Warne is a “freak”.
In his last great challenge in cricket, Warne has submerged himself in Indian culture in a way he never did when he made three Test tours as a player. On one of those tours I remember watching him at a breakfast buffet awkwardly clasping tongs that held a piece of naan bread with vegemite on it on one of those conveyor belt toasters.
As we spoke, one end of the naan bread was catching fire. "How are you going there?" I asked. He looked up with a furrowed brow and said: "I've lost three already."
Peter English is former Australasia editor of ESPNcricinfo