Post by ::Richo:: on May 20, 2008 8:42:56 GMT 10
Shane Warne has revealed he would consider coming out of retirement to play for Australia at next year's Ashes series, but only if needed.
The legspinning legend said if skipper Ricky Ponting asked for his help against old enemy England, a dramatic return to Test cricket could be on the cards.
Warne retired from internationals following the final Test against England in Sydney in January 2007, and earlier this year ended his first-class career by withdrawing from his Hampshire deal.
But the 38-year-old, who will turn 40 less than a month after the fifth Ashes Test, has been in impressive form as captain-coach of the Rajasthan Royals, leading the Indian Premier League team to the top of the table with 14 wickets at 18.78.
"If Australia really needed me and there was no one else around, and Ricky thought I could do the job, you would weigh up the options," Warne told News Ltd on Tuesday.
"If Stuey MacGill fell over and broke his leg, and there were no other spinners around, and Ricky came out and said, 'Mate, can you please help us out for this one-off tour? We need you', that is something I would weigh up.".
Warne had no doubt he would be up to the task of returning to the top level if called upon and admitted he was starting to miss it.
"If I wanted to keep playing I don't think there would be an issue with me being the No.1 spinner and performing," he said.
"I would still love to be playing international cricket, and miss it because I devoted 20 years to first-class cricket. It is a big part of my life.
"The reason I retired was to spend time with my kids. I was also sick of international touring here there and everywhere, other commitments, and team meetings.
"If you could just turn up and play Test cricket, that would be cool. I would definitely consider that."
Warne did however throw his full support behind MacGill and admitted the prospect of returning was "a fairytale" at this stage.
What do u guys make of this
The legspinning legend said if skipper Ricky Ponting asked for his help against old enemy England, a dramatic return to Test cricket could be on the cards.
Warne retired from internationals following the final Test against England in Sydney in January 2007, and earlier this year ended his first-class career by withdrawing from his Hampshire deal.
But the 38-year-old, who will turn 40 less than a month after the fifth Ashes Test, has been in impressive form as captain-coach of the Rajasthan Royals, leading the Indian Premier League team to the top of the table with 14 wickets at 18.78.
"If Australia really needed me and there was no one else around, and Ricky thought I could do the job, you would weigh up the options," Warne told News Ltd on Tuesday.
"If Stuey MacGill fell over and broke his leg, and there were no other spinners around, and Ricky came out and said, 'Mate, can you please help us out for this one-off tour? We need you', that is something I would weigh up.".
Warne had no doubt he would be up to the task of returning to the top level if called upon and admitted he was starting to miss it.
"If I wanted to keep playing I don't think there would be an issue with me being the No.1 spinner and performing," he said.
"I would still love to be playing international cricket, and miss it because I devoted 20 years to first-class cricket. It is a big part of my life.
"The reason I retired was to spend time with my kids. I was also sick of international touring here there and everywhere, other commitments, and team meetings.
"If you could just turn up and play Test cricket, that would be cool. I would definitely consider that."
Warne did however throw his full support behind MacGill and admitted the prospect of returning was "a fairytale" at this stage.
What do u guys make of this
