Melbourne: SA cricket fans will miss Shane Warne as Strikers take on Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
It is said that the legendary leggie has dropped out of the game to celebrate Christmas with fiancee Elizabeth Hurley and her family in England, News.com.au reported.
The Stars captain and world`s greatest leg-spinner was to be the star attraction for the sold-out crowd when the second-placed Strikers take on the third-placed Melbourne team from 7pm.
But instead of earning his 500,000 dollars-a-season Big Bash League salary, Warne will be spending holiday time with Liz in England.
A press release sent by the Stars on Christmas Eve cited the reason of his no-show as "pre-existing commitments in the United Kingdom”.
Warne also hinted that he wouldn’t be playing the game when he tweeted to wish Merry Christmas to everyone in Australia and NZ.
But the SA Cricket Association declined to comment on the no-show.
Meanwhile it is said that Cameron White will serve as acting skipper, before Warne`s scheduled return for the Stars following match on January 3 against the Brisbane Heat.
ANI
First Published: Wednesday, December 26, 2012, 16:01