Shane Warne hints at return

Former Australian spinner Shane Warne has hinted that he could be ready to return to the sport for next year's Ashes series against England.

The 43-year-old has not played for his country since bowing out from Tests following the 2006-07 season, but he still plays Twenty20 cricket in his home nation.

His "best friend" is Australian captain Michael Clarke and he has admitted that he would consider a return should he be offered the opportunity.

He told Australia's Herald Sun: "If your best friend says, 'Mate, I want you to seriously consider making a commitment to Australian cricket and coming back out of retirement', that's a different scenario.

"Especially with back-to-back Ashes coming up next year, it could be a 12-month thing. If you asked me if I think I could still play international cricket if I wanted to just turn up, do my bowling and if the first Test match was in three weeks, do you think I could play, I'd have no hesitation in saying yes — and I think I'd do pretty well.

"From a purely bowling perspective, I don't think my form would be the concern, it's just the time and actually making that commitment again... I have absolutely no doubt if I wanted to commit to try to make a comeback and go through grade cricket, first-class cricket and try to get selected ... that I could do it."

Warne won two World Cups during an illustrious playing career.