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Legend Warne 'may be tempted by Ashes return'

20/05/2008

Shane Warne has revealed that he could be tempted to come out of retirement and play for Australia in the 2009 Ashes series against England.

The veteran spinner, who quit the international scene after the final Test match of the previous Ashes series down under in January 2007, believes he could still be a match-winner.

Warne revealed his main reason for retiring was to spend more time with his family, but he claimed he would find it tough to turn down an offer to wear the baggy green again in England next year.

"If Australia really needed me and there was no one else around, and [Australia captain] Ricky [Ponting] thought I could do the job, you would weigh up the options," Warne told the Herald Sun newspaper.

"If Stuart 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 is still playing competitive cricket, as well as taking up a coaching role, with Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals and he claimed "there would [not] be an issue with me being the number one spinner and performing".

"I would still love to be playing international cricket, and miss it because I devoted 20 years to first-class cricket," he said.

"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."

Responding to Warne's comments, however, Australia skipper Ponting said the idea of the 38-year-old returning is "a fairytale".

"If his body stays right there is no doubt that he is the best wicket-taking spinner in Australia," Ponting told daily newspaper the Australian.

"So if he keeps himself fit and has the desire and passion to keep playing cricket then I'm pretty sure he would be good enough to get the Ashes job done.

"[But] he has never mentioned anything to me about coming back for the Ashes and I don't think that will happen."