Warne 'definitely' to play Big Bash League

Shane Warne has declared that he will come out of retirement to play in the Big Bash League this summer, but he has not yet decided which team will win his services. Warne, 42, has not played elite cricket in Australia since his final Test, at the SCG in January 2007.

His return will be a massive boost for the first season of the BBL, a competition that Cricket Australia has high hopes for when it starts in December. Warne said on The Footy Show on Channel Nine that he had not decided whether to turn out for the Melbourne Stars, who will play at the MCG, or the Docklands-based Melbourne Renegades, but that he was definitely planning to play.

"It's great that there's two teams here," Warne said. "I'm not leaning one way or the other. I'm definitely going to play a few games and have some fun. I think it will be nice to help the young players out and have a bit of fun with the Twenty20."

Warne retired from the IPL this year but has been hinting for some time at a possible comeback for the BBL. He won't be the only former Australia star to come out of retirement for the Twenty20 tournament; the Brisbane Heat have already signed Matthew Hayden.