AUSTRALIAN batsman Matthew Hayden is backing legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne to have a greater influence on this week's second Test after a disappointing start to the Ashes series.
Despite regarding the Gabba in Brisbane as his favourite Australian ground, Warne claimed only four wickets in the match as England were crushed by 277 runs.
It has prompted England coach Duncan Fletcher to praise his side's handling of Warne, who he believes was gifted two of his wickets during the comprehensive opening Test triumph.
But Hayden believes Warne will continue to enjoy a stranglehold on England's batsman, which he has enjoyed by and large ever since bowling the ball of the century to Mike Gatting in 1993.
"Even though Warney has had a tremendous amount of success in Brisbane, he comes into his own in the southern venues," claimed Hayden.
"He'll turn the ball prodigiously in this venue in particular and he'll get a lot of up and down movement as well.
"I wouldn't want to be a left-handed batter facing Shane Warne on this track because I really believe he's going to be hard work."
Warne will be Australia's only spinner at the Adelaide Oval after the Australian selectors opted to overlook fellow leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, prompting speculation they may field an unchanged line-up.
That would put Warne under greater pressure to perform and ease the burden on the remainder of Australia's attack, although Adelaide has not been the most productive of venues for him.
In 12 Tests here, he has claimed only three five-wicket hauls, although he did claim six for 80 last year against West Indies to lift his confidence for this year's encounter.
Australia expect captain Ricky Ponting, who injured his back during the last Test, and Glenn McGrath (sore left heel) to be fit for Adelaide.
