Sport | Cricket
Warne is 'capable of Test comeback'
Shane Warne has fuelled speculation over his return to Test cricket after his success in the Indian Premier League and his coach Terry Jenner believes the spin wizard can beat the system and make an Ashes comeback next year.
- IANS
- Published: 00:19 May 23, 2008
Melbourne: Shane Warne has fuelled speculation over his return to Test cricket after his success in the Indian Premier League and his coach Terry Jenner believes the spin wizard can beat the system and make an Ashes comeback next year.
Warne shocked the cricket world telling the Herald Sun he would consider answering an SOS call from the Australian team if they are in dire straits for next year's Ashes defence.
"Shane defies all normal logic as the game's greatest leg-spinner," Jenner was quoted as saying by the daily.
The former world record Test wicket-holder, who turns 39 in September, would be required by Cricket Australia standards to play first-class cricket to be eligible for selection.
Voteline
"According to Cricket Australia protocol, he would need to play grade and first-class cricket, and he has retired from (English county) Hampshire. So, he would have to beat the system, but you never say never with Shane."
Faced with dwindling spin stocks, Australian selectors may face an agonising decision.
Any injury to Stuart MacGill could leave inexperienced left-armer wrist spinner Beau Casson as Australia's front-line tweaker. But the selectors won't be bullied into recalling Warne, regardless of the situation, the report said.
Former Test off-spinner Greg Matthews too believes Warne is capable of racking up "at least 25 wickets", even if he was not required to roll his arm over until just before the Ashes.
"Tell me what cricket fans would not want to see Shane Warne back for the Ashes?" Matthews said.
Former wicket-keeper Ian Healy said that in the unlikely scenario of Warne being called back into action, "it would mean we're struggling."
A Herald Sun voteline had 62 per cent of readers saying Warne should return to play for Australia.
Paceman Brett Lee, a close friend of Warne, hinted Australia should look within its current ranks for a spinner.
Meanwhile, Australian captain Ricky Ponting has lashed out at former players, who criticised the team for not wearing the traditional baggy green cap in a tour game in West Indies.
"There has been an evolution in what the baggy green means to the Australian team and I would argue that there has never been a time when it was more respected," Ponting wrote in his column in The Australian.
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