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Cricket

Shane Warne tells England to 'stop making excuses'

18/02/2008

Australian cricketer Shane Warne has said the England team should stop making "excuses" if they want to return to winning ways in the Ashes.

The Australian legend said the England team focus too hard on the Ashes, claiming "they just need to get on with it and start playing good cricket".

"I think they get too wrapped up in the Ashes. They've got to start winning things. But the players are there," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Warne believes the team have let their standards drop after being criticised for defeats in the first two one-day internationals against New Zealand.

The now retired international player pointed out that England are now a long way behind Australia and in the one-day rankings they are seventh "down there with Bangladesh and everybody else".

"All I can hear is excuses - 'we haven't got this or that player'," he said.

England came back in third one day event, claiming victory over New Zealand to boost the five day series.