Warne being used wrongly: Matthews

Former Test off-spinner Greg Matthews has accused Australia of making a "major tactical error" by using Shane Warne as a stock bowler.

Former Test off-spinner Greg Matthews has accused Australia of making a "major tactical error" by using leg spin wizard Shane Warne as a stock bowler on the ongoing Indian tour.

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"To think that the greatest wicket-taker in the history of the game is being used as a stock bowler defies commonsense," said Matthews.

Warne has been operating within a team plan according to which if the fast bowlers are taking wickets, he has to play a defensive role by trying to keep things tight at one end.

Matthews believes Warne should be encouraged to be at his "creative best rather than a more run-conscious support role".

"His train of thought should be, 'I am the man - I am going to go out and win this Test for Australia. I am not going to be a stock bowler. I am here to win the Test'," Matthews was quoted as saying in The Australian.

He said Warne could start having negative thoughts if the team continued with its plan.

"He should not be supporting the quicks, they should be supporting him. You don't want him having negative thoughts. You should be thinking about taking 20 wickets, especially when he is the game's greatest wicket-taker. I appreciate this is our last frontier but history tells us fast bowlers don't win series here. Spinners do."

Warne has bowled more overs (102.3) than any other Australian bowler and Matthews fears the burden could grind him down by the last Test in Mumbai.