Melbourne, Dec 18 : Legendary spinner Shane Warne should be made an honorary South African citizen after providing the secret information about dethroning Australia's top batting order.

Warne has always been a deep thinker on the game and couldn't help himself when Graeme Smith asked for his counsel during the Indian Premier League this year, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The leg-spin king is far from being a traitor - in retirement he can say and do what he wants - but it is obvious Smith listened breathlessly to every Warne word and some of his advice has worked spectacularly.

Warne is renowned for being generous with his knowledge and has helped spin bowlers from all over the world, even when they are in competition with Australia.

Smith knew that Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting were going to hold the key for Australia.

Ponting had smacked seven centuries in 15 Tests against South Africa, averaging 64, while Hayden averages almost 50 against the Proteas.

But Warne's advice on bowling to the star pair was obviously spot-on.

Hayden lasted just 13 balls yesterday to continue a deep form slump and Ponting fell for just the second golden duck of his career - the first being against India way back in
2001.

Given his fading form, and the ever-increasing lure of his young family, Hayden will have to consider his future at the end of this summer.

In an explosive revelation, Smith had insisted that inside information from Warne helped him form the battle plan for Hayden and Ponting this summer.

Warne on Tuesday night claimed that he did not divulge any vital Australian intelligence to Smith when the pair were teammates at Indian Premier League franchise the Rajasthan Royals earlier this year.

But Smith said he gleaned vital data on Ponting and Hayden from Warne and will use it as part of South Africa's blueprint. (ANI)