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Speedy return for Warne
03/10/2003 16:14 - (SA)
Melbourne - Disgraced Test cricketer Shane Warne would walk straight into his Australian state side Victoria once his 12-month drug ban had lapsed, coach David Hookes said here on Friday.
Australia's leading Test wicket-taker's 12-month ban for taking a banned diuretic will end on February 10 next year and Hookes knows Warne's return to the game will invoke international attention.
When asked if such a speedy return was possible, Hookes said at a team function: "Not for mortals like us, but Shane's not a mortal."
"It's a long way off. It's going to be a really complex issue and it's going to be a real focus for cricket, and a focus worldwide, for the Australian team and us.
"He's the best player in the world in his craft so why wouldn't you pick him?"
Warne was training with the Victorian team during his ban, until that ended because of Australian government pressure through its funding body Australian Sports Commission.
Victoria's first games after Warne's ban expires are against Tasmania at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - a February 14 one-dayer and a Sheffield Shield match from February 16.
The Australian team also leaves for Sri Lanka soon after Warne becomes available for selection.
"I will be interested if the Australian selectors speak to me about what they would like us to do, because Australia goes out to Sri Lanka within two or three days of his ban finishing," Hookes said.
"They leave him here to play with us for a couple of games and then ship him over there, I'm not sure.
"It's an issue a group of people will have to discuss, including Warney, come early to mid-January.
"At the moment, if he was available tomorrow you'd pick him."
- AFP
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