Shane Warne says it’s good Nathan Lyon, the man he rates as Australia’s number one spinner is being pressured for his position, but can’t understand why he changed his bowling in Pakistan.

Warne believes Australia have the match-winners to claim the World Cup early next year.

However, he stressed the importance of key players like captain Michael Clarke and pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson staying fit.

He’s concerned about Australia’s batting following the Pakistan Tests, but is backing out-of-form Clarke to make big hundreds soon.

Lyon who has cemented a Test spot in the past couple of seasons, struggled in spinner-friendly conditions in the United Arab Emirates.

While Pakistan’s spinners prospered, Lyon captured just three wickets at an average of 140.66 each.

Before the series he received advice from Sri Lankan spin great Muttiah Muralitharan, Test cricket’s most prolific wicket taker.

Warne never mentioned Murali on Monday, but said he didn’t know what Lyon had been told by people that might have caused him to bowl differently against Pakistan.

“He didn’t bowl that well… for some reason he changed the way he bowled,” Warne told reporters.

“I don’t know what he was told by people or why he bowled differently in those conditions.

“But (before that tour) he was bowling beautifully and I thought he was bowling really well. I still think he’s Australia’s number one spinner.

“But it’s nice to see the leggies, We’ve got Cameron Boyce, I still think Fawad Ahmed is pretty good.”

Warne was also bullish about Australia’s pace stocks and thought Pat Cummins could push for Test selection if the injury-prone quick could come through a couple of first-class games.

“I think there’s a lot of spinners and a lot of quicks,” Warne said.

“My concern is the batsmen, we need the batters making runs.

“I thought collectively, they didn’t bat very well against Pakistan, they played pretty poorly.

“I’d like to see the batsmen start making some runs. If they do that, I’m sure the bowlers will be able to knock them over.

“But watch out for Michael Clarke I think he’s going to make a few big hundreds soon.

“I think he’s cleared up his mind a little bit.”

With two limited overs tournaments, a Test series against India and a World Cup looming, Warne thought Australia had the chance to regain the status of world leader in Test and one-day cricket.

“It’s a massive opportunity for the Australian cricketers to try and win some big things, to dominate through the summer and try and stamp themselves back at number one in the world,” Warne said.

“They’ve got an opportunity to do that, it’s whether they are good enough or not.

“I think they probably will be. If they pick the right team, I think they can win the World Cup they’ve got enough match-winners.

“We’ve got the best captain in the world in Michael Clarke.”