Warne makes spin trio suggestion

Cullen could feature in the series, says Warne

Shane Warne has started the pre-Ashes mental battle in earnest by suggesting Australia could play three specialist spinners in some Tests.

Warne took 40 wickets during the 2005 series, almost half his team's total, highlighting a weakness for England.

"There might be times through the series - in Perth, Adelaide or Sydney - where we want to play three spinners.

"I really like Dan Cullen. He has to be ready when his chance comes," Warne told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

Off-spinner Cullen, 22, played for Somerset for part of the summer, after making his Test debut against Bangladesh in Chittagong in April.

In a match famous for Jason Gillespie's double century, 18 of the 21 wickets to fall went to spinners, with Cullen taking one.

"Myself and Stuart MacGill are the number one and number two when we play two spinners," Warne added.

He is likely to be the only front-line spinner on show in Brisbane when the first Test starts on 23 November but teams traditionally use two slow bowlers at Sydney, where the fifth Test takes place.

Adelaide, venue for the second Test, is increasingly being viewed as spin-friendly and reports have suggested the next Ashes stop, Perth, is not as quick as it used to be.

Warne has been busy promoting his new book Shane Warne: My Illustrated Career.