Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has made his long-awaited return to action following a 12-month drugs ban. Warne batted for Victoria's second XI against Queensland Academy of Sport, making 11 before being caught behind.
Victoria declared on 379-6 and Warne took a catch in the slips but did not have a chance to bowl before rain halted play with the visitors on 87-1.
The 34-year-old is hoping to be named in the Australian squad for the Test series in Sri Lanka in March.
Warne was suspended after his urine sample from a random drug test revealed traces of banned drugs which help fluid loss and could be used to mask steroid use.
He said he took the diuretics on the recommendation of his mother to look good in front of television cameras.
An estimated crowd of 800 people, including dozens of journalists and six TV cameras, attended Junction Oval in the fashionable seaside Melbourne suburb of St Kilda to see Warne's return.
He is expected to bowl on Wednesday and again for the top Victorian XI in a limited-overs match against Tasmania on Saturday.
"The publicity that is surrounding Shane's return has been unbelievable, to be quite honest," said Australian chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns.
"Shane is a big-name player. He's been an outstanding player for Australia, so everyone has been waiting for him to get back on the field, there can be no doubts about that.
 Warne leaves the field after his first innings failure |
"I guess it's a matter of having a look and seeing how he's bowling - it's very difficult to gauge or make an assessment in his return day."
Warne retired from one-day internationals just before his ban began, but Hohns said he would certainly be considered if he was to change his mind.
Despite the drugs scandal, Warne remains as popular as ever in Australia with one spectator unfurming a banner on Tuesday that read: "Warney - it's been Worth the Weight."
He had missed the first day but under an agreement between the two sides, came into the match as a substitute for Jason Arnberger.
And he was then promoted up the batting order to be the next man in when Victoria began day two on 290-3.
MMIX
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Like most things with Warne we always welcome him back and forgive his misdemeanours
"It will be like climbing back on a bike"