Cricket Australia chief endorses Warne comeback

Shane Warne might have plenty of things to worry about at the moment, but his cricketing future need not be one of them. Bob Merriman, the chairman of Cricket Australia, has said that the many controversies emanating from Warne's personal life will not affect his standing with the board.

Speaking to the Herald Sun newspaper, Merriman said: "We are certainly looking forward to February 10 next year [when Warne's ban expires] and Shane Warne coming back as a strong player. He has co-operated in respect to the issues the board has control on. We don't have control of any player's private life. He has certainly reacted in all the areas we have asked him to. It is [now] really a matter for the selection committee."

Merriman indicated that the Australian board does not intend to concern itself with a player's personal life. "The board has not taken a view on that," he said. "We have not discussed player X or player Y, but certainly a hell of a lot of work has been generated in the board office because of the issues of the last four months.

"Obviously we are hopeful that issues in his private life remain private, like any person. That's probably a pious hope given the high-profile sports person he is."