07.01.07
The Times - Have talent, will travel, even happy to help Poms
For the first time since I started this column in 1999 I am Shane Warne, the former Test cricketer. It sounds strange and feels strange, but it is exciting as well. I have no regrets about deciding to call it a day and none at all about my career. You can’t ask for a better way to bow out than an Ashes whitewash.
So where do I go from here? The honest answer is that I don’t know -or not beyond the holiday I have lined up with the kids before they go back to school. I’m playing in a poker tournament in Melbourne, have a couple of functions for my Foundation and a benefit dinner for Darren Lehmann. Otherwise, things are up in the air.
The past few weeks have been even more hectic than I had imagined. I need to sit down with a clear head and work out what I want to do with the rest of my life.
There are business opportunities out there and it’s good to know I can keep putting bread on the table. I just don’t want to rush into something I may regret.
I have to work out whether I can survive financially in cricket or whether I need to take on other work. And after that, would it be better to take a break from the international circuit? The possibility of the commentary box is very attractive. I would love to stay in the game because it is my passion.
Australian cricket is my priority. I want the team to stay No 1 in the world and to help the sport to remain No 1 in the country. James Erskine, my manager, has been having talks with Cricket Australia to see if they can find a way for me to stay involved. It is just very, very nice that they want me.
Beyond that, I also want to make sure that cricket stays healthy worldwide. So I would not have any problem with helping in England, New Zealand, South Africa or anywhere else. We live on a small planet these days.
It was interesting to read Duncan Fletcher say in our papers yesterday that he thinks I can offer assistance to England. That was very kind of him, especially after he said a few weeks ago that his batsmen were on top of my bowling. Perhaps he’s changed his mind after Adelaide and Melbourne.
Anyway, the fact is that I haven’t heard anything from the ECB, so I can’t say yes or no. I have an affection for England and a house in Southampton. And I’ve helped out England bowlers in the past. I am a big believer in players learning from each other. That is what happens -or should happen -at the end of every match or series.
For example, I had a long chat with Monty Panesar in our dressing-room when the fifth Test finished on Friday. He approached me while I was chatting to Freddie Flintoff, saying he wanted to ask a few questions about spin bowling. We spoke for 30 minutes or so together and he went away with a few new ideas.
I talked about having a plan, attitudes towards bowling to different players, field placings and bowling from different areas in the crease. A ball can land in the same place, but you can get variety by delivering it from a slightly altered angle or trajectory. I hope Monty can take something from it.
Of course, there is a big difference between an informal chat, where you wouldn’t dream of asking for a cent, and actually being employed. I am not sure what Duncan has in mind, whether it is for me to go around the counties or for bowlers to come to see me at Hampshire.
As a general comment, if I could help the cause of spin bowling, if I have the time and if it fits in with my family, then I would give it a lot of thought.
Actually, one idea I have is for a Shane Warne Cricket Academy for kids in England. I don’t know how it may work or how feasible it would be. Whatever I do, I want to do it properly.
A few final thoughts on the Ashes. England will be pleased to have Michael Vaughan back, but, in his absence, I still think that Freddie was the best replacement as captain. The 5-0 scoreline is more a testament to the consistently excellent cricket we played than England’s frailties.
I think that Alastair Cook did at least as well as Marcus Trescothick could have managed in the circumstances. But I’m still in two minds about Ian Bell; your No 3 needs to produce hundreds. Paul Collingwood’s figures are flattered by his double century in Adelaide. Kevin Pietersen is just class and will get better.
The bowling depth was badly exposed. Sajid Mahmood may have a little bit of potential because he is tall and sometimes bowls fast, but you need more than that. I can’t believe he is a better bowler than Chris Tremlett, who must be thinking “my turn now” with the one-day series about to start.
I feel a bit for Chris Read because he was unfortunate to keep coming in to bat with England on their downers. He is a fantastic wicketkeeper who made a couple of catches for himself and hardly any mistakes. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Hampshire lose Nic Pothas to the Test side next summer.