No Pietersen, no Ashes for England, believes Warne

Melbourne, June 25: Australian legend Shane Warne believes England have no chance of regaining the Ashes without Kevin Pietersen, who is a doubtful starter for the tournament owing to his Achilles heel.

"The one person England have to have is Kevin Pietersen. If England haven`t got Pietersen I don`t believe they can win. He`s just a wonderful player," Warne said about his former Hampshire teammate.

Australians have been outspoken that they dread Pietersen, who has scored 963 runs at 53.50 in 10 Ashes matches, was the only hurdle in their way to Ashes.

But the right-handed batsman can miss the traditional five-Test series beginning July 8 in Cardiff, owing to Achilles tendon injury.

Warne also believed that Adil Rashid deserved the second spinner`s role ahead of the battling Monty Panesar and stressed the importance of Andrew Flintoff`s presence in the side.

"England haven`t rushed Rashid and I think he`s played pretty well in his limited opportunity in (the World) Twenty20," Warne said.

"He should play in the first Test with Graeme Swann. Rashid and Graeme Swann; Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson - that`s a really well-balanced attack for the conditions you`re going to have over here."