Warne lays blame with Fletcher

England's controversial team selections for the Brisbane and Adelaide Tests - and the buck-passing that has followed them - must be hurting the visitors' preparation for the Perth Test starting on Thursday, according to Shane Warne. Writing in his column in the Herald Sun, Warne said Duncan Fletcher should take responsibility for the decisions, including the contentious choice of Ashley Giles over Monty Panesar.

"Having captained teams myself, I know that it's important the skipper has the final say on team selection," Warne said. "From what I read and hear, Duncan Fletcher is the guy who chooses the England team. He basically said after the 2005 Ashes series he was the key selector and was happy with his team.

"This time I am hearing him say: 'It's not just me, there are others who pick the team.' While it doesn't impact on our preparation and how we approach this Test, it's great to hear him contradict himself all the time, and it can't be helping England. I hope that as captain, Andrew Flintoff is getting the side he wants. I don't know for a fact he isn't but if it's true then I am feeling for him."

Warne said spin would be a vital weapon on the WACA pitch this year but it would suit finger spin more than legspin. "I know I am going to have to do some hard work here," Warne wrote. "That's why I am tipping Michael Clarke to play more than a handy role here with the ball. Clarke's left-arm finger spinners are underrated but I expect he will get a couple of crucial wickets, and might even get Kevin Pietersen out. In fact, he will get Pietersen out in one of the innings."

Brett Lee said it would be disappointing if the Perth pitch suited the spinners more than the fast bowlers. "I'm expecting it to be very slow, as it has been over the past couple of years," Lee told the Sydney Morning Herald. "If there's enough carry for the quicks, then everyone's happy.

"If it gets to the stage where it's a real flat batting wicket, then [for] kids watching on TV, no-one will want to bowl fast. It's important there's enough there for the quicks. I'm not a person to whinge but I just hope that Perth is the wicket we are expecting, or has been in the past, but we'll have to see."