Shane Warne speaks to Sky Sports magazine about the Ashes, working with Beefy and playing poker.
Aussie legend would consider becoming a future England coach
It's the most-eagerly awaited return since England flew home from the Caribbean with the ICC World Twenty20 Trophy.
Yes, legend Shane Warne is back in the Sky Sports commentary box this summer and will also deliver his verdict as England defend the Ashes Down Under in the winter.
To get the ball rolling, 'Hollywood' took time out of his busy schedule to speak exclusively to the
Sky Sports magazine about the future of the game, his life after cricket and that famous urn...
The
FULL INTERVIEW is now available in the latest edition of the Sky Sports magazine - but if you simply can't wait to read it then check out these beauties...
Warney on...
COACHING ENGLAND: "I wouldn't coach any international side at the moment. I gave up playing because I didn't want to spend as much time on the road, and with the kids it wouldn't be the right time. When they're older, five years, ten years, who knows? I wouldn't rule it out. I'll never say never to England."
WORKING WITH BEEFY...: "I used to love watching 'Beefy' play. Whenever we were on tour and it rained they seemed to stick 1981 on the telly. Sometimes he seems to have his rose-tinted specs on, but he's great to work with because if you ask him a question, he'll tell you what he thinks."
...AND NASSER: "He could rub you up the wrong way when he played. That was one of his strengths in a way, his fight. Actually, I've been impressed with how much he knows about the game. He's made me feel welcome."
THE 2010/11 ASHES: "England will come at Australia harder this time. I can see it going to the final Test. The challenge has fallen again to Ricky Ponting to recover the urn lost under his watch."
PONTING'S CHANCES: "To be an Aussie captain and lose two Ashes series... that's not a great stat and I'm sure Ricky doesn't enjoy it. Ultimately the captain has to take responsibility when you lose. It's no one else's fault, you can't blame other people and to be fair I don't think Ricky did that. A captain has to be able to take praise and flak."
SWANN'S SPIN: "I'll be watching his plans and his fields, seeing how he works with Andrew Strauss and how much he does on his own - all those things one spin bowler always looks for in another. Swann has that ability to mix his pace and an amazing knack of getting wickets in his first over. His big skill is to really spin his quicker ball. That is very difficult; generally the slower one is the one you turn. It is a great weapon, but he's shrewd as well - he doesn't just bowl his biggest off-break every ball."
TWENTY 20: "Change takes time, words like 'franchise' take some getting used to, but in the next couple of years everyone will be talking the lingo. People have to lose their egos and accept it. If it clashes with internationals then players have to make choices and it will lead to trouble."
POKER: "There aren't any bunnies. I haven't found my Daryll Cullinan yet [Cullinan was the South African batsman who froze in terror every time Warne bowled at him]. I wanted to make the final table of a big tournament in my first two years, and I did it. But I've got as much chance of winning the next World Series as I have of bowling in the Ashes."
Don't forget - you can read the full interview in the Sky Sports Magazine or by clicking HERE.
