SHANE WARNE is a step closer to bowling again after the Victorian Second XI declared their first innings at 5-379 on day two of the match with Queensland at Melbourne's Junction Oval today.
Warne returned today from a 12-month doping suspension and his first involvement back in the game was to come in at No.6.
He made 11 before Queensland paceman Steven Magoffin had him caught behind.
Light rain was falling in the innings' break, but there will be a few minutes of play before the lunch break.
Warne's comeback attracted a crowd of several hundred, many of them media, including six television cameras.
The teams agreed to Warne joining the Victorian side on day two of the match.
Warne's 12-month doping suspension expired at midnight.
He told reporters this morning he's nervous and excited about playing.
As he prepared for his return after testing positive to a diuretic, he said: "I firmly believe I am the best leg-spinner and I will fight for my place in the Australian team."
In a career that has produced 491 wickets in 107 Tests, the king of spin said he felt "absolutely no pressure", but was "excited" about playing again.
He also revealed he wasn't "desperate" to immediately play for Australia and would contentedly bide his time playing for Victoria in the Pura Cup.
"My goal is to make the Sri Lanka tour but if I don't, it really doesn't matter," Warne said.
"I'm not feeling desperate to get back into the side.
"If I don't, chances are I'll play in a home Pura Cup final for Victoria, which would be a pretty good alternative.
"As usual people presume to know what I want in my cricket career, but the fact is the thrill of walking through the gate and not knowing what is going to happen next is the important thing.
"I love the game and just playing again and letting it unfold is the exciting thing," Warne said.
"People think I'm desperate, that's wrong.
"If I don't make the Sri lanka tour it's not the end of the world. I know I'll get back into the side eventually.
"I believe I'm the best leg spinner in the country. That's not saying anything against Stuey MacGill or the great job he has done, but I have to back myself and believe in myself."
With national chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns looking on, Warne said he felt he was in a win-win situation.
"I'll be thinking a few things when I drive into the Junction Oval, but there are no nerves at all. I'm just excited to be back playing," Warne said.
The controversial leg spinner received good luck calls from near and far yesterday, inlcuding Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
"The well-wishing from friends and teammates has been terrific," he said. "Through this whole past year it is the support of my teammates and friends that has made things easier."
Hohns will alternate between Warne's game and the Pura Cup match between Victoria and South Australia at the MCG.
Only the "Warne factor" could get the national chairman of selectors to a second XI game when the first XI is playing up the road.
"The publicity surrounding Shane's return has been unbelievable," Hohns admitted yesterday.
"Shane is a big-name player, he's been an outstanding player for Australia, so everyone has been waiting for him to get back, there is no doubt about that.
"I'll be poking my nose in, having a look. It's a matter of going to have a look, see how he's bowling."
The Test squad for Sri Lanka will be announced on Friday week – the day after the scheduled finish of Warne's comeback first class game for Victoria against Tasmania at the MCG.
Hohns admitted he wasn't sure if it was enough time for Warne to convince the selectors he is ready for the international stage.
"I'm not sure, that's a judgment we'll have to make at that stage," Hohns said.
Herald Sun
GO WARNEY!!!!!!!!!!
