October 30 Wednesday 2002
Warne wants more practice before Ashes

MELBOURNE: Champion legspinner Shane Warne wants to continue in his brilliant bowling form and will play for his state Victoria in a Sheffield Shield match starting here on Wednesday.

Warne was man of the series in Sri Lanka and Sharjah against Pakistan, with 27 wickets in three Tests. "For me, I know it's important just to keep bowling," Warne said on Tuesday ahead of the match against Tasmania.

"I think it's up to the individual - if they want to play that's good, if they don't then that's cool as well. "I don't think it should be held against anyone." Warne will captain Victoria for the first time in three years, having regained the spot under new coach David Hookes.

While Warne's unprecedented fitness and his outstanding form meant there was no way he would miss the match, Tasmanian Test star Ricky Ponting will rest ahead of the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane next week.

The Australian Cricket Board asked for the national one-day captain to have some time off. Meanwhile, Warne keenly felt Monday's axing of long-time Test teammate Mark Waugh. Warne said Waugh had been the last current member of the Australian team who was in the side when Warne made his Test debut during the 1991-92 season.

"What Mark has done out of yesterday is come out with a lot of dignity and respect," Warne said. "He's a really down-to-earth, good fellow. Obviously everybody knew he and (brother) Steven were under the pump, Steve came out in the last Test and got 100. "Mark obviously didn't get the runs he would like. "For a guy who gives his all to the team, you just wanted him to get runs."