Not playing McGain a blunder, says Warne

May 21st, 2009 JOHANNESBURG - The pot of gold at the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) rainbow that had driven Australian Shane Warne to come out of retirement to play in the series has eluded him. Warne, 39, candidly told the Afrikaans weekly Rapport earlier that the only reason why he and former team mates Adam Gilchrist and Glen McGrath were still playing cricket at their age was money.

May 18th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian Test spinner Bryce McGain, who is hoping to make it to the Ashes squad, believes the national selectors are confused about picking Nathan Hauritz over him. "I guess the selectors are still searching.

May 15th, 2009 DURBAN - It was the old rivalry against Sachin Tendulkar that tempted Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne to ignore a serious hamstring injury and take the field against Mumbai Indians with a heavily strapped leg. Warne was almost certain to miss the game and the rest of the IPL after he picked up the injury when he was batting against Deccan Chargers, Monday night at Kimberley.

April 29th, 2009 JOHANNESBURG - Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne has named master-blaster Sachin Tendulkar as his all-time favourite batsman. Speaking at a function hosted here by sponsors Tata Communications Services, Warne, joined by South African captain Graeme Smith and other members of the team, took to the podium to field questions from the floor and share their experiences so far in the Indian Premier League (IPL) series being played out across South Africa until May 25.

April 29th, 2009 JOHANNESBURG - Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne has joined the growing chorus against the strategy break introduced in the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 matches being played out across South Africa, saying it might make commercial sense but was not good for the game. 'I think the strategy breaks affect whatever side is behind (in the game),' Warne said, adding: 'So, whoever has the momentum, the opposition can actually catch up in that break.' He was reacting to a comment at a function hosted here by sponsor Tata Communications Services for leading businessmen that the strategy break in recent games had twice upset the momentum of master blaster Sachin Tendulkar.

March 26th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian spin wizard Shane Warne Thursday said it is a shame that the second edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) will not be played on its home soil. Warne said the IPL starting April 18 will be 'nothing like if it was in India' after it was switched this week to South Africa following concerns that security forces in India would be too stretched to adequately cover both the general elections and the IPL.

March 25th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Former Australian leg spinner and Shane Warne's guru Terry Jenner believes that current Australian leg spinner Bryce McGain has ruined his chances of an Ashes call-up with his performance in the Cape Town Test. McGain, who turns 37 tomorrow, was clobbered for 149 runs in 18 wicketless overs as Australia lost to the Proteas by an innings and 20 runs.

March 17th, 2009 SYDNEY - Spin doctor Terry Jenner has appealed to Australia's national cricket selectors to include Victorian leg spinner Bryce McGain in the squad for the Cape Town Test, though the latter doesn't expect to play. "I can't see any point in not playing him.

March 16th, 2009 CAPE TOWN - After having his path blocked to Test cricket by part-time spinners, many believe the time has arrived for Bryce McGain to try out his leggies on the big stage. Australia has searched unsuccessfully for a spinner since Shane Warne's retirement, and many believe McGain's wrist spin is the best option.

March 1st, 2009 LONDON - Spin wizard Shane Warne feels injured England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff should not play in the billion-dollar Indian Premier League (IPL) to make sure he is there for the Ashes in June. Flintoff, who has an injured hip, flew back home from England's ongoing tour of West Indies Friday but is confident of playing in the IPL , where he has been roped in by Chennai Super Kings for a whopping Dollar1.55 million.

March 1st, 2009 LONDON - Former Test spinner Shane Warne says cricket authorities should support the Indian Premier League (IPL) instead of trying to copy it, so that 'every player in the world' is free to play in it. 'Playing for your country has to be number one.

March 1st, 2009 LONDON - Former Australian spinner Shane Warne said Michael Vaughan must play for England this summer if they wish to repeat their 2005 Ashes success. Vaughan, who was England captain for five years, stepped down from the position in August last year after the team's dismal performance at home against South Africa.

February 18th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian spinner Bryce McGain was spared the rod despite missing the team flight to South Africa Monday. The Victorian over-slept and missed the flight from Melbourne to join the team in Sydney.

February 17th, 2009 SYDNEY - For uncapped Australian spinner Bryce McGain it was the worst possible start to the cricket tour of South Africa as he missed the team flight. The Victorian leg-spinner overslept and it was his state mate Andrew McDonald who realised that McGain was missing at the airport Monday morning.

December 27th, 2008 MELBOURNE - A recent television poll has shown that Australians want former cricketer Shane Warne in the role of a Prime Minister. The poll took place on Nine Network when the maverick Warne shared the commentary box with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Test match against South Africa here Saturday.