Perth, Dec. 13: England coach Andy Flower on Monday laughed off suggestions champion leg-spinner Shane Warne could make a shock Ashes comeback as Australia become desperate to find a way to win back the prized urn.
The Warne sideshow has reached fever pitch in Australia as the once dominant cricket nation contemplates a worrying 0-1 deficit after two Ashes Tests, leading to growing calls for the 41-year-old to return in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Speaking ahead of the third Test in Perth, starting on Thursday, Flower laughed off any thought of Warne resuming his 145-Test career after almost four years out of the game. “I am not surprised that it won’t go away,” he said of the Warne speculation with a broad grin. “But it is not going to happen.”
Debutant Michael Beer, who will become the 10th spinner tried by Australia since Warne’s retirement, also dismissed talk of a comeback by Warne. “They bring that up three times a year, don’t they?” he said.
Meanwhile, Australian selector Greg Chappell said he is amused at the growing hype over the return of Shane Warne and made it clear that the legendary leg-spinner is not in contention for the third Test at Perth.
“I have been amused by it. Warne’s been a great bowler (but) he’s 41 years of age, or near enough to 41,” Chappell was quoted as saying in Sunday Herald.