Scott Borthwick is much underrated: Shane Warne

Legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne is widely regarded as one of the best bowlers in the history of the game. Warne believes that the batting all-rounder from England Scott Borthwick is very underrated.

The 26-year old Scott Borthwick was initially more of a bowling all-rounder with the leg-spin, but later he transformed himself into a batting all-rounder. He has been on top form with the bat this season, who has played just a single Test for England.

For Durham, he has scored five first-class centuries but Warne believes that he could easily become a genuine all-rounder and one-day replace Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid as the country’s premier leggie. “I think the young English batting allrounder, Scott Borthwick, is very underrated,” Warne told Sky Sports.

“It is very hard playing up in Durham as a leg-spinner, (it is) freezing cold all the time and it seams around all over the place. It may be best for his development if he were to move counties,” he added.

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Australia leggie praised his batting but wanted him to continue concentrating on his leg-spin. “His batting has really come on, but I hope he hasn’t shelved his leg-spin, as I think he could play for England as a genuine all-rounder.”

“Adil Rashid still has a lot to offer as well but I think Borthwick is the guy of the future. He could be outstanding for England if he can just stick at his bowling.”

Warne also urged India to give more opportunities to Piyush Chawla, who had a good IPL season for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). “Piyush Chawla stands out for me in the IPL. I wish India would pick him because I really enjoy watching him bowl,” Warne said.

Also Read: If you perform, you automatically become a crucial member of the team: Piyush Chawla

“I don’t think a lot of batsmen pick him out of the hand and although he might bowl a little bit of buffet stuff at times, mostly he seems to do well. I’d certainly like him in my T20 side.”

Warne also feels happy to see a lot of leg-spinners coming up and he said that it is great to see the faith the captains have in those bowlers.

“It is great to see the importance placed on leg-spin in the game currently. I was at the World T20 and there were about eight or nine in the tournament who had an impact. It is great to see captains have faith in those leg-spinners – they are not only being picked but getting thrown the ball in tough situations.”