Shane Warne is an astonishing bloke. No sooner has he returned from the grave to play in these one-day finals than he calls a press conference to say he is going to step down in a couple of months. He does like making announcements. Perhaps he has heard the call of domestic bliss. When he withdrew Allan Border said he intended to spend more time at home. Everyone fell about laughing, especially Mrs Border. After a couple of days of babies and washing the dishes the great man was back on the road. His wife was much relieved.
As far as Warne goes it is all part of a crafty plan. Doubtless the celebrated vintner wants his announcement to be taken seriously, perhaps literally. Of course, he cannot walk away from his audience with a mere announcement. Thespians, musicians, newsreaders, commentators and paid sportsmen generally stay around as long as they can for the day is short and the night long. Warne craves attention, relishes the spotlight. Open a fridge door and he will do something. Even mowing the lawn is not quite as exciting as pitting your wits against an aggressive opponent intent on plunder and with a packed stadium waiting upon the outcome. When it suits him, he will be back.
Patently the leg-spinner thrives on the immediacy of 50 over contests, an abbreviated version of the game in which the tie break is the match. Warne played an enormous part in Australia's victory in the last World Cup, helping the team to turn its fortunes around with numerous encouragements and a towering performance in the semi-final. He relishes the tension of turning cards as much as the slower movements of the Test arena in which men are moved around like pieces on a chess board. Especially for a spin bowler, one-day cricket is a gamble and the Victorian is a fearless punter.
Warne also enjoys the company of his livelier comrades, including Brett Lee and Shane Watson, without whom the world would be a duller place. Of course, life on the road is not all wine and lettuce and the programme is ever more demanding. Australia has been running around since early August with hardly a moment to draw breath. After the World Cup the Australians will tour the West Indies. Warne is weary of travel. Towards the end of a long season everyone feels like retiring. At such times thoughts inevitably turn to watching footy on cold Melbourne nights, with a cigarette, a glass of water and a salad close by.
Clearly Warne has a plan. A cricketer down to his sprigs, he has given up pizza and bacon butties in order to improve his fitness and sustain his career and nowadays appears as svelte as a shorn sheep. Warne has fought his way back from surgery, repeatedly defying this column's gloomy prognostications. He cares. Such men do not walk away, or not for long.
He loves the game. By way of a rest this winter he has accepted a contract to play for Hampshire in the English championship where he will serve as captain. Patently Warne relishes the prospect of trying his luck as a leader
and living further from the madding crowd. Although his captaincy has been praised he has not so far had an opportunity to put his imprint upon a team.
At last his chance has come and he does not intend to waste it. Aging sportsmen search for fresh challenges. Some find them in figures. Others seek more lateral satisfaction.
Australia's programme meant Warne was bound to miss parts of the English summer. April must be spent in the Caribbean and July brings Test matches against Bangladesh to be played in Darwin and Cairns. Doubtless Warne is frustrated by these ever broadening demands and senses a longer period away was bound to affect his captaincy. In other words he could not serve both the Australian 50 over team and a county where he has many friends and a home.
Desperate for a quiet period playing for a club that appreciates him, Warne took the only course available. By contract he could not miss any of Australia's matches. Accordingly he retired from the fray. In a curious way domestic bliss does lie behind his decision. It is not about children, partners and all that rot. He wants to play cricket, lead a peaceful life, captain a team and prolong his career. It had seemed an impossible combination. By 'retiring' he has achieved them all.
Warne is a lot craftier than he seems. Of course, he will be back. He has given a lot and deserves the licence he is currently and discreetly requesting. Others will follow in his wake, searching for a life amidst the hullabaloo.
