Warne set to return in Australia’s Big Bash – report

SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Shane Warne is set to return to  cricket in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash competition less than  six months after announcing his retirement, local media reported  yesterday.

The 42-year-old leg-spinning great said he was bringing an  end to his professional career in May after his final match for  the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League to focus on  media work and his business interests.

The Sydney Morning Herald on Friday, however, reported that  Warne was set to sign with the Melbourne Stars for the first  season of the relaunched eight-team Big Bash League.

Warne, who last played in Australia during the 2006-2007  Ashes whitewash of England and ended his test career with 708  wickets, hinted on his Twitter page  (www.twitter.com/warne 888)last week that he might be coming out  of retirement.

“Might have some exciting news about cricket to share with  you all soon… Hope you are excited as I am about this… Watch  this space ! Haha,” he tweeted.

His manager, James Esrkine, further fuelled the speculation  with his comments on Thursday about Warne’s fitness.

“He went out on the ultimate high in Australia, taking 700  wickets, winning the Ashes,” he told the Herald.