Warne to concentrate on Tests after World Cup

SYDNEY - Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne said today he would retire from international one-day cricket to extend his Test career.

Warne said the dislocated shoulder he suffered in a one-day game on December 15 proved to him how easily injury could occur and cut short his days in the Australian Test team.

Warne, who will play the World Cup in southern Africa before standing down from the Australian one-day side, admitted he wanted to leave the abbreviated form of the game on his own terms.

"It hasn't been a decision, I suppose, that has come lightly," said Warne.

"I love playing cricket for Australia but the No.1 priority for me is to play Test cricket for as long as I can.

"I've been thinking about it for a while but I didn't come to the conclusion until I was carried off on a stretcher in Melbourne.

"That sort of brought my thinking home about how hard it is on your body in one-day cricket.

Warne said he had the support of one-day captain Ricky Ponting, Australia coach John Buchanan, his team-mates and the Australian Cricket Board.

"Everyone I've spoken too thinks it's a pretty positive and smart decision - and a pretty gutsy one."

Warne is expected to make his international comeback from his shoulder problem in tomorrow's first tri-series final against England at the SCG.