Cricket: Warne to continue playing

SHANE WARNE has abandoned his plan to retire from cricket, announcing yesterday that he wanted to keep playing for at least the next few years.

Warne had spoken about becoming disillusioned with the grind of touring and the media intrusion into his private life. But he told the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) yesterday that he changed his mind after discussions with his family and agreed to make himself available for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

"Being a part of our great win in the World Cup was just the tonic to get me thinking positively again," Warne said in a statement released by the ACB. "I love the camaraderie of the team... and I'm looking forward to playing against Sri Lanka, if selected. I'm only 29 and I think I have plenty to give to cricket as a senior player."