Dec. 16: “There will be no comeback in this Ashes series,” said Australian spin legend Shane Warne, putting to rest the frenzied speculation about his possible return to Test cricket due to the team’s continuing slump.
The flamboyant cricketer-turned-commentator, who has been offered a million dollars to come back and rescue Australia’s floundering Ashes campaign, said he is flattered by the attention but it won’t be possible for him to actually return.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but there will be no comeback in this Ashes series,” the 41-year-old wrote in his column for The Herald Sun.
“I must say I was very flattered and surprised that a lot of you out there wanted me to make a comeback and play in the series,” he said. Warne said although he would have wanted to be in the thick of things but it would require quite an effort to be match fit. “...if there was to be a comeback I’d need time to get match-fit. My general fitness is as good as it’s ever been — I have worked hard on that lately — but toiling away for long spells and backing up the next day takes time, practice, lots of physiotherapy and even more dedication. I must admit it did cross my mind, but then I woke up in London, where it was snowing, and realised I was only dreaming,” he said.
“I will continue to help the Aussie boys any way I can in their quest to reclaim the Ashes.” Warne conceded that a loss in Perth could trigger wholesale changes in the team.