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| Wednesday, 11 February 2004 |
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Shame Warne unable to bowl due to rain SYDNEY, Tuesday (Reuters) - Shane Warne's comeback to cricket after completing a 12-month doping ban ended in anti-climax on Tuesday when rain stopped play before he had the chance to bowl. The Australian leg-spinner did get to bat, however, making 11 runs in a brief stay at the crease, and also took a sharp catch in the field but the foul weather prevented him from bowling. About 1,000 people, including members of his family and a large media throng, turned up in the modest surroundings of Junction Oval in suburban Melbourne in the hope of seeing Australia's greatest wicket-taker roll his arm over. But they left the ground disappointed when the heavens opened up shortly after lunch and eventually forced play to be abandoned early. Warne, playing for the Victoria state second XI against the Queensland Academy of Sport, missed the first day of the four-day match because his suspension did not end until Tuesday, but wasted little time getting involved. Under an agreement between the two teams, he came into the match as a substitute for Jason Arnberger and was then promoted up the batting order to come in at the first fall of wicket after Victoria had resumed on 290-3. Warne batted for 20 minutes before he was caught behind by Chris Hartley off the bowling of Steve Magoffin and Victoria declared shortly after at 379-5. Warne was quickly in the thick of the action when Victoria took the field, holding a head-high catch at first slip to get rid of Ryan Broad, and was just starting to warm up his shoulder when the weather intervened. The 34-year-old was banned last year after testing positive for a diuretic, which can be used to mask other drugs, in the biggest doping scandal to hit cricket. Warne said he had taken a fluid-reducing tablet given to him by his mother, who was among the spectators at his comeback, to improve his appearance but was unaware it contained an illegal drug. Despite the drug scandal, Warne remains as popular as ever in Australia with one spectator unfurling a banner on Tuesday that read: "Warney - It's Been Worth The Weight." The cricket community has also welcomed him back to the fold and he is almost certain to be rushed back into the Australian test team when the squad to tour Sri Lanka is announced next month. |
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