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.
Matt Law
