Australia’s World Cup stars were ”shocked and disappointed” to hear about Shane Warne’s 12-month ban for a doping violation having hoped he might return to rejoin them, captain Ricky Ponting said on Saturday.
Warne said he would appeal against the ban, imposed in Melbourne after a positive test for a diuretic, and Ponting said he hoped that it would not be the end of his career.
”Let’s hope not, I wouldn’t have thought so,” the Australian captain said.
”I think there are still a lot of things and a lot of goals that Shane wants to achieve in the future. Let’s just hope he can get over this like he’s gotten over the very bad injuries he’s had over the last few years as well.
”Everyone wants him to keep playing. We were certainly looking forward to playing with Shane right through this World Cup as it was going to be his last set of
one-day matches,” Ponting said.
”We’re looking forward to playing some more test cricket with him in the future.”
Asked what the players’ feelings were about the ban, Ponting replied: ”Pretty much the same as mine, just a bit shocked and a bit disappointed.
”Everyone kind of expected something like this to happen but when it actually does come out and you find that one of your mates and teammates and one of the greatest players the game has seen has been suspended, it’s very disappointing for everybody.
”Everyone feels very sorry for Warney, it’s obviously been a very tough time for him the last week and a half.
”We’ve always had this sort of belief that he might be here with us some time during the World Cup. Most of the guys will speak to him at some stage today either via text message or over the phone and we’ll wish him all the best.”
Ponting admitted, however, that what happened to Warne, who said he inadvertently took the substance, was a warning to all cricketers.
”He’s obviously been very naive with it all,” said the Australian captain who will lead his unbeaten team against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo on Monday.
”I think it’s a big wake-up call for not only cricketers but sportsmen around the world, that you just have to be very, very careful with the things you put in your mouth.
”Shane’s obviously learned a very hard lesson from it.” – Sapa-AP