Warne back in the captaincy race

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has told leg-spinner Shane Warne he is a potential candidate for Australian captain position after Steve Waugh retires, the Sunday Telegraph reported on Sunday.

It was thought that Warne's chances of ever being captain were gone when he was stripped of the Australian vice-captaincy by the ACB last year.

"The Australian Cricket Board have told me the door is not closed, and that I am definitely in consideration," Warne said.

Warne was careful to emphasise he wasn't campaigning for the position and that he only wanted what was best for the team.

"I'm not pushing for it. The thing with the captaincy is, it has got to be something that is good for the team at the time. You have to be the best man for the job," he said.

Warne's controversial off-field antics involving phone conversations with an English nurse caused the ACB to sack him as vice-captain and give the job to Adam Gilchrist in August 2000.

Although Warne is yet to captain Australia at test level his record in one-day internationals speaks for itself.

Warne notched up a tally of 10 wins from 11 matches as captain during the 1998-99 season when England and Sri Lanka toured.

Wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist and right-handed batsman Ricky Ponting are also being considered for the job when Steve Waugh, who is now 36 years old, finally retires.

Mail Cricket Editor