Shane Warne’s much-anticipated comeback to cricket after a 12-month doping ban was restricted to a short time at the batting crease on Tuesday as rain interrupted an Australian interstate match between Victoria’s 2nd XI and the Queensland Academy.
The world’s leading leg-spinner didn’t get a chance to bowl as rain halted play shortly after Victoria declared its innings closed at 379 for five.
Warne, who missed the opening day of the match so he could serve out the last day of his suspension, scored 11 runs before he was caught behind off Steve Magoffin. His dismissal prompted Victoria’s declaration.
Queensland Academy reached 87 for one in reply before a three-hour rain delay forced umpires to call stumps early.
An estimated crowd of 800 people, including dozens of journalists and six television cameras attended Junction Oval for the match and Warne’s participation was extensively reported in the national media.
Warne, who is pushing for selection for the test series in Sri Lanka next month, is expected to bowl on Wednesday and again for the top Victorian XI in a limited-overs match against Tasmania on Saturday.
Victoria selector Mick O’Sullivan said that although many of the state’s second-string players had never met Warne, his addition to the team was positive.
”Shane’s very excited, he loves playing cricket, he’s a real cricket nut,” said O’Sullivan. ”He can’t wait to get out and have a bat, have a bowl — more than anything, be part of the team.”
Victoria had resumed at 290 for three on Tuesday after winning the toss on Monday and electing to bat.
Australia’s leading bowler with 491 Test wickets, Warne was suspended last year after his urine sample from a random drug test revealed traces of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride, diuretics which are banned in sport.
He said he took the diuretics — a fluid loss tablet — for the sake of vanity only. He wanted to look good in front of the television cameras, on the recommendations of his mother, Brigitte. — Sapa-AP