Shane Warne to return for the Ashes in 2009?
Monday, September 15, 2008 : The Ashes, Tests
If Australia lose in India with their latest 2 spin bowling options, would Shane Warne return for the Ashes 2009? The chance of this occurring is starting to look more and more likely.
Warne is only 2 years older than recently selected fellow Victorian leg-spinner Bryce McGain and will have recently completed his second spell in the Indian Premier League when the Ashes series starts in 2009. He would be 39 and could argue that if he can complete the rigours of the IPL then his body would be up to 5 days of Test cricket. Without McGrath, can Australia really do without someone who took 40 wickets in the 2005 series?
Since Warne's retirement last year and the subsequent retirement of Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg, Australia have looked at youngsters Dan Cullen (1 Test), Cullen Bailey and more recently left-armer Beau Casson who played one Test in the West Indies earlier this year. The Australian selectors have decided not to pursue any of these and have turned to veteran McGain and Jason Krejza. If things fail to work-out for the latest Warne replacements will the great man himself come back for a one-off last Ashes series against the old enemy?
Update: With Bryce McGain injured, his replacement Cameron White is really a batting all-rounder, so on a turning wicket Australia would really want something more. Shane don't book any poker tournaments between July and August 2009!
Get in the mood with a little reliving of the summer of 2005 with the The 2005 Ashes Victory
.
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