Warne: 'I'll be back'

Shane Warne, who was banned for 12 months last February for testing positive to an illegal diuretic, wants to be back in the Australian Test team for their upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka. It has just been announced that Australia will tour the subcontinent in February and March where they will play five one-day internationals and three Tests.

Warne recently attended the Wisden Electrolux awards evening in Bombay where he was given an award for the best Test-bowling performance of the year. At the function, he admitted going through a "tough time for six to seven months", but hopes to "come back in February."

A return in February 2004 was the only option for Warne as he refused to let the ban end his career, claiming that "it'll actually help me in the long run". He also added, "I think I've got two or three years left in the game and the enforced layoff is probably going to help me add another one at the end of my career".

During the winter, Warne started to train with his state side, Victoria, to maintain his form and fitness but was banned from even doing that after the Australian Sports Commission advised Cricket Australia that the anti-doping policy included national, state and district training. This was a major blow for Warne as the Australian selectors had asked him to join their sessions too.

Warne's recent award, for his excellent performances in Pakistan in October 2002 shows that he won't be kept down for much longer. He has already served close to nine months of his 12-month ban and if he makes the Sri Lankan tour he will attempt to become the second bowler ever to take 500 Test wickets.