Warne targets Boxing Day
Test for comeback
Shane Warne has set his sights on returning for the Boxing Day [December 26] Test after confirming he will miss at least the first three Tests against the West Indies in Australia this summer with a fractured finger.
Australia's all-time leading wicket-taker fractured his spinning finger, taking a catch at first slip to dismiss New South Wales Test batsman Mark Waugh in the Sheffield Shield on Thursday.
Warne, who spoke before the start of Victoria's third day in the Pura Cup match against New South Wales, vowed to stay positive despite another injury setback.
"In the first 10 years of my sporting career, I never had any injuries," he said. "But I've had a lot of setbacks with injuries in the last three or four years.
"However, I've just got to keep positive and hopefully I'll be right in six to eight weeks."
Warne said he was likely to have surgery on Saturday to repair the top knuckle.
He missed Australia's recent tour to Kenya after a knee surgery and has also had shoulder and finger operations. He said this setback came when he felt he was bowling well.
The injury is likely to mean a Test recall for New South Wales wrist-spinner Stuart MacGill.
MacGill's international career has been based around Warne's fitness. He made his Test and one-day debuts only because of injuries to Warne but grabbed the chance when it came.
His 12 Tests have netted him 59 wickets at an average of 23.32 and his three one-dayers have seen him concede 3.5 runs per over in 30 overs, as well as taking six wickets at 17.50.
But his last Test was over 18 months ago in the West Indies, when he bowled in tandem with Warne.
Mail Cricket Editor
