Warne has plenty of cricket left - Ponting

Ricky Ponting believes Shane Warne has plenty of cricket left and would command a place in the Australian team as long as he is physically capable.

Warne, who at times single-handedly wrestled with England's Ashes series challenge taking 40 wickets, has indicated he may not be around when the Ashes battle resumes in Australia late next year. Warne, 36, has yet to confirm whether he will play in Australia's home Tests against West Indies and South Africa.

Ponting, speaking in Hobart, said he would have Warne in his team "every day of the week". "You've just got to look at the way he performed in England," Ponting told reporters. "Forty wickets in the series and some very handy runs as well ... he was the best player on both sides, I think, right through the series."

Ponting said Warne would be in the Test team as long as he was physically able. "There's no indication that he's slowing down yet," he said. "He's bowled better in [the Ashes] series than he probably has in his whole career. As long as he keeps looking after himself with his pizzas and chips and that diet then I'm sure he can play till he's 40."

Warne, who returned home on Thursday from England, said his most important priority was to see his three children, who live in Melbourne with his wife Simone.