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Shane Warne believes Australia would be making a serious mistake if they didn't play Nathan Hauritz in the first Test despite his ugly figures in the two tour matches. There is a strong chance Australia will name a four-man pace attack for the opening Ashes Test, despite the possibility of England taking in two spinners.

Warne said Graeme Swann, Monty Panesar and Hauritz would have enormous roles to play over the next week in Cardiff, where the pitch is expected to help the slow bowlers. First, Hauritz must win the backing of the selectors following his overall haul of 2 for 260 in the games against Sussex and England Lions.

"Whatever the speculation, Hauritz has to play for Australia, especially at Cardiff, with Marcus North, Simon Katich and Michael Clarke in support," Warne wrote in his column in the Times. "I actually think this is England's best chance of winning because of the conditions. Edgbaston may favour them as well, but I think Lord's, Headingley and the Oval will suit Australia.

"There isn't a lot between Hauritz and Swann. The difference is in their attitude. Swann has his confidence up and has been bowling pretty well lately in spin-friendly conditions against the left-handers. Hauritz has been finding his way in England and is trying to cement his spot in the team. Self-belief is very important."

Panesar's inclusion is not yet certain and Swann, who has never played against Australia in a Test, ODI or Twenty20 international, will be England's first-choice spinner at Sophia Gardens. Warne said Swann had the potential to frustrate the Australians and their tactic must be to attack him immediately to dent his confidence.

"Swann's character could really get under the skin of the Australians and if I was the England captain, I would give him full licence to be himself," Warne said. "He isn't to everyone's taste. If he is dictating terms, he will have a strut about him and that arrogance and cockiness will be obvious. In that state, he could disrupt Australia's rhythm.

"But when his confidence is down, as with all players, he is not so effective. I think Australia have to try to bring him down to size by taking him on straight away. Michael Clarke has a key role there because he is our best player of spin. His footwork is top-drawer and he could knock Swann seriously off kilter."

Warne also said England had erred by leaving Steve Harmison out of their squad, particularly after his short-pitched successes against Phillip Hughes during the warm-up game. Warne said having a varied attack could be a key during this series and while Australia had a solid mix, England had missed an opportunity by omitting Harmison.

"He does offer something different," Warne wrote. "When I think back to 2005 - which I don't do unless I have to - what stands out is the variety in the England attack: right-arm swing from Matthew Hoggard, pace and bounce from Harmison, reverse swing at speed from Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff angling it in awkwardly to the right-handers.

"Both sides will be comfortable with their batting but more concerned about how to take 20 wickets. I do think that Australia have bases covered in the pace department, with Mitchell Johnson bowling left-arm and swinging it back into the right-hander to work with the hustle and bustle of Peter Siddle, with Brett Lee swinging it at 150kmh." (Crazycricinfo staff)