CA chief wants Warne to play in Big Bash

Melbourne: Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has urged the retired spin legend Shane Warne to play in the Big Bash to lift the profile of the Twenty20 League.

Sutherland said Warne`s participation would be a huge shot in the arm for the revamped domestic Twenty20 league. "I`d welcome his participation in the Big Bash League. It would be great to see him coming in and playing for one of the Melbourne teams," Sutherland said. "Many fans in Melbourne would have a difficult decision to make as to which side they go with. That would be a determinant for a lot of people," said Sutherland. Cricket fans in Melbourne could, however, face an agonising decision over which team to support in the Big Bash League as both the city sides are eager to rope in Warne. Renegades chairman James Brayshaw and Stars chairman Eddie McGuire are both keen to attract the charismatic cricketing icon to their respective teams for the December-January tournament. Warne, who turns 42 on September 13, has been in England doing TV cricket commentary in recent months. Earlier this week, he had indicated that he could be available for the Big Bash. "There is probably a possibility that I might play," he had said. "I might be involved in some level on the Twenty20 but I am sort of mulling over those things at the moment with some business opportunities and sponsorship. It (BBL) is a good initiative from Cricket Australia. I`m just weighing those things up with scheduling." PTI