Border expects speedy return to team for Warne

Allan Border, the former Australian Test captain who is now a selector, expects Shane Warne to make an immediate return to the national side after his one-year suspension ends on February 10 next year, before Australia's tour of Sri Lanka.

Warne was suspended after testing positive for a banned substance just before the 2003 World Cup, and he has had almost no cricket since then, but Border does not see that as too much of a hindrance. "I think he's so good that he could come straight back into the squad," he said, "and we'll have the opportunity in the summer months to get Shane involved in the squad."

Border added: "He's allowed to bowl in the nets and prepare himself, so we'll just monitor how he's going in the nets."

Border also had words of praise for Stuart MacGill, who has picked up wickets regularly in Warne's absence and most recently recorded three five-wicket hauls in four innings against Bangladesh. "He's not really just keeping Shane Warne's place warm," said Border. "He's really taking it on himself and he's bowling so well that he's putting the pressure on."