Shane Warne says it is hard to pick No.1 Test batsman between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith

Shane Warne says it is hard to pick No.1 Test batsman between Virat Kohli and Steve Smith

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Shane Warne has disclosed that both Virat Kohli and Steve Smith remain the No.1 Test batsmen for him as it is hard to choose between the duo. In reply to James Anderson's comments, the legendary spin wizard has also warned the England team that they should sledge Smith only at their own risk.

Under Kohli’s captaincy, Team India equalized Australia’s record of nine consecutive Test series win and in the South Africa tour, they are looking forward to creating a new record of 10 consecutive Test series win. On the other hand, Australia is playing Ashes under Smith’s guidance where they win the first two Tests. But more than their leadership, the duo inspired their respective teams through resolute batting performances and that put the Australian leg-spinner in a dilemma as he failed to choose only one as the best Test batsman.

"It's hard to split Virat Kohli and Smith for the title of No.1 Test batsmen in the world at the moment and the best players like the battle and are super competitive." Warne was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Before the Ashes, Smith labelled Anderson as one of the biggest sledgers in the game and the pacer also didn't shy of living up to that billing when Smith was batting. The pair had a long exchange on the first evening when Anderson was stationed at short mid-on while Smith was at the non-striker's end and Australia's captain was clearly rattled. Warne is well aware of that and warned the English team that they can sledge the Australian skipper but only at their own peril.

“If I was England the best thing now would be to not say a word to him when he walks out, just ignore him and give him the silent treatment. Engaging him in banter could just ignite the concentration within and lead to a big hundred for the Aussie skipper. It's a bit like when the Australian teams that I played in started sledging Brian Lara – we learnt after the seventh or eighth ton that it wasn't a great plan," Warne explained.

Sledging has always been an inevitable part of the Ashes rivalry, but sometime, players cross the line and involve in serious verbal banter. Warne, however, stated that the art of sledging is about not allowing the opposition to settle down through some cheeky words here and there.

"For mine, the art of sledging is all about unsettling your opponent to the point where they lose concentration and focus. It's about being subtle, clever and humorous rather than loud bravado. It's the little word here or there, often when your opponent least expects it, that can really touch a nerve. Sledging is about making a batsman think of something other than what he should be,” he stated.

"Taking an example from another sport, it's like arriving at a par three with a green protected by water and recalling to your partner about the time he 'sliced one into the drink on the right'. (It) just gets you thinking.

"Joe Root? The Aussies in Perth on Thursday might chat to him about his issues with turning fifties into hundreds. That and how his side is 'massively still in this series', as he said on Wednesday night."

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