Cricket Australia approaches Shane Warne for help in playing spin ahead of 2015 Ashes series Michael Clarke says Australia's players will be happy to return to friendlier conditions after losing a Test series to Pakistan for the first time in 20 years. The Aussies have won just once in their last 15 tests on Asian soil. Shane Warne speaks to Nathan Lyon at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town in February, 2014. SHANE Warne has been approached by Cricket Australia to help rescue the reeling Test side from its spin woes on next year's Ashes tour. Following Australia's embarrassing capitulation with bat and ball to Pakistan, the SOS has gone out to the country's greatest ever spinner as part of a wideranging response to the two-Test loss in the UAE. For the 2013 Ashes in the UK, the ECB instructed groundsmen to prepare slow, dusty wickets where possible, and England won 3-0. There will be no Graeme Swann next time around, but the same memo for dry, Mitchell Johnson-proof pitches will go out next year, especially after Australia were so badly exposed by Pakistan in all departments. Champion leg spinner Warne took on a consultancy post with Darren Lehmann's side in South Africa earlier this year, and impressed with the energy he brought to the group and the assistance he provided for Nathan Lyon. Nathan Lyon and Shane Warne talk during an Australian nets session at Old Trafford in July, 2013. CA are eager to get Warne back on board for cricket's biggest test, but realise Australia's systematic problems in subcontinental conditions won't be fixed by the spin king alone. It's understood an external review is also being drafted, which plans to source information and advice from experts with first-hand knowledge of Asian conditions. The fact Australia learnt nothing from their 4-0 demolition at the hands of India last year is a major source of concern for Michael Clarke and his side, who return home today under a cloud of gloom. Under the proposed external review, Lehmann and national selector Rod Marsh would be allowed to focus on the upcoming Test series against India on home soil, but behind the scenes data would be gathered to try and answer some worrying questions pertaining to Australia's handling of spin, and help prepare the team for a tough overseas schedule in 2015. Australia can expect the West Indies, England and Bangladesh to all follow the blueprint set by Pakistan in the recent two-Test annihilation and then in 2016 there's more of the same, with a tour of Sri Lanka on the schedule. In addition to Warne being sounded out, Australia are more immediately looking at bringing in John Davison to work with Nathan Lyon and the spinners for the home summer. Davison is Lyon's long-time mentor, and last summer spent 10 days with the Test squad leading into the Ashes. It's hoped he will again come on board to offer more personal advice to Australia's spin options in the nets. Incredibly, Australia will reclaim their No. 1 Test ranking if they beat India either 3-0 or 4-0 starting in early December in Brisbane. Shane Warne and batsman Lehmann in 2008. However, the 221-run defeat in Dubai and the record 356-run thrashing in Abu Dhabi prove that a flashy ranking means little in the overall scheme of things, especially when Australia travels overseas. All-time great Warne has often been a leading critic of Cricket Australia, but the powers that be recognise that the 708-Test wicket-taker is a valuable asset to have in the stable. Warne has a hectic schedule with his commentating and social commitments, however, Australia will continue to try and use him where possible on a consultancy basis. The 45-year-old has also worked with Victorian leg-spinners Fawad Ahmed and James Muirhead. Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan was used as a consultant leading into the UAE series, but no amount of help could resurrect Australia's collapsing batting order or their miss-firing attack. CA team high performance manager Pat Howard said there were no excuses being offered for the abject failures in the Middle East. "No one is blaming a coin toss or the pitches that we played on," Howard said in a statement. Pakistan showed just how well a team can bat on those wickets and they deserve a lot of credit for how they performed. All aspects of our game - batting, bowling and fielding were well below par. To be a great side, we have to be able to win consistently on the road and it's clear we still struggle to cope with dry, subcontinental conditions. (There is) no overnight solution. It will take time and hard work. Originally published as Australia sends out SOS to Warnie