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Warne unveils plan for career longevity

Australian legspinner Shane Warne said yesterday he will retire from limited-overs cricket after the World Cup in an attempt to extend his test career.

Warne, 33, said the dislocated shoulder he suffered in a one-day game against England on Dec. 15 proved to him how easily injury could occur and possibly cut short his days in the Australian test team.

``It hasn't been a decision, I suppose, that has come lightly,'' said Warne. ``I love playing cricket for Australia but the No. 1 priority for me is to play test cricket for as long as I can.

``I've been thinking about it for a while but I didn't come to the conclusion until I was carried off on a stretcher in Melbourne. That sort of brought my thinking home about how hard it is on your body in one-day cricket.''

Warne said he had the support of one-day captain Ricky Ponting, Australia coach John Buchanan, his teammates and the Australian Cricket Board.

``Everyone I've spoken too thinks it's a pretty positive and smart decision -- and a pretty gutsy one.''

In the last 12 months, test skipper Steve Waugh and his twin brother Mark have been dropped from Australia's one-day side.

Warne said he wants to avoid that scenario. ``A year or so down the track I don't particularly want to get the tap on the shoulder,'' he said. ``I'm going out my way, the way I wanted to go out and while I'm still at the top of my game.

``Hopefully this way I'll be around and you can look at my ugly dial for a few years yet in test cricket. My form this last year has probably been the best it's ever been statistically and performance-wise.''

Warne is expected to make his comeback from his shoulder injury in today's first tri-series final against England.

He had reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder in mid-1998 and had a slow recovery before forcing his way back into the Australian squad that won the 1999 World Cup in England.

Warne made his international one-day debut in the 1992 to 1993 season against New Zealand and has played 191 one-day matches, taking 288 wickets at an average of 25.27. He is the fifth-highest wicket taker in the one-day game.

He has also scored 1,106 runs at an average of 13.19.

The Australian Cricketers' Association said that it believes Warne's retirement highlights a major concern for modern players -- burnout.

ACA chief executive Tim May said Warne's decision raised concerns about the nonstop nature of modern cricket.

``With the prolific scheduling of international matches, player burnout is a career threatening issue facing all international cricketers,'' said May.

``We are very worried about the present and increasing burden being placed upon international players.''
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