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Warne predicts Hughes to open Tests

Legspinner says its time Australia selectors opted for youth at top of order in India Test series

Shane Warne has predicted a change at the top of Australia's batting order for next month's first Test against India, saying fellow Victorian Chris Rogers should be axed in favour of Phil Hughes.

Warne made the call over the airwaves on 3AW Tuesday evening, saying it was time for Australia to look to the future and for Hughes to partner David Warner at the top of the order.

"Phil Hughes will probably get a go," Warne said when asked to name his batting order for Brisbane.

"Chris Rogers has done a wonderful job but I think Phil Hughes will get a go.

"Hughes, Warner, No.3 probably Shane Watson I'd say. Steve Smith might move up to No.4. Mitchell Marsh will probably bat six so they'll have to find someone to bat five.

"I'm not sure who that will be. These few rounds of Shield cricket will be really important and someone who puts their hands up could find themselves playing for Australia."

Rogers, the 37-year-old veteran with 16 Tests to his name, scored a century for the CommBank Bushrangers in their innings against the West End Redbacks at the Adelaide Oval in the current round of Bupa Sheffield Shield matches.

Hughes, meanwhile, fell for seven and 11 in his two innings in the same match, picked up both times by Australia quick Peter Siddle. He edged to slip in the first innings, and was bowled through the gate as the Victorian came around the wicket in the second dig.

Rogers' Bushrangers teammate Peter Handscomb also scored a century today, while the Redbacks' Callum Ferguson did his chances of higher honours no harm with 140 on Sunday – his second century in three Shield matches this season.

At the Gabba, two other young batsmen threw their hats in the selection ring, with myFootDr Queensland Bull's Joe Burns scoring 183 and NSW Blues Nic Maddinson making 118.

Warne also backed Nathan Lyon to overcome his recent troubles and take his place in the first Test line-up in Brisbane from December 4.

"Nathan Lyon has done enough; I think he's done a pretty good job over a period of time," said Warne.

"I think he'll be the No.1 spinner and I think he deserves the first crack at it in the Test match in Brisbane."

Currently playing for the NSW Blues at the Gabba, Lyon bowled 31 wicketless first-innings overs for 91 runs. He picked up the wicket of Ryan Harris in the second innings, and later fell first ball to leg-spinner Cameron Boyce.

It was his first outing since bowling 110 overs across the two-Test series against Pakistan for a return of 3-422 at an average of 140.

While Clarke is not yet definitively ruled out of the first Test, Warne said Australia would miss his leadership, tactics and batting if he were to miss the series.

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"It's a real shame to lose Michael Clarke, he's easily the best captain we've got and we need him," said Warne.

"He's one of the best batsmen in the world; we're going to miss his batting, we're going to miss his captaincy.

"We've seen over the past 18 months it's one of the reasons why Australia's gone back to No.1 and got up the rankings again, because of his captaincy and his batting."

Warne also gave his backing for Brad Haddin to take over Australia's Test captaincy if Michael Clarke fails to overcome his hamstring injury.

"I think Brad Haddin is the natural choice," Warne told 3AW. "He's the vice-captain, he's done his time, he's an experienced player.

"I don't think wicketkeepers make the best captains because there is so much they have to do anyway, in the long term.

"But short term I think Brad Haddin is the perfect choice."