Mike gatting dismisses shane warne comeback talk

By Simon Hayes on May 22, 2008 8:53 AM |

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SHANE Warne’s threat to come out of international retirement for next year’s Ashes series should be taken with a pinch of salt, according to ex-England skipper Mike Gatting.

Warne, currently playing in the Indian Premier League, famously took Gatting’s wicket with the “ball of the century” on his Ashes debut in 1993 and was reported to want a return to the Australian team.

“He’s being very mischievous,” said Gatting. “I thought he’d got enough on his plate in India. For him to slip out a little mischievous comment like that, it’s typical Shane.”

But would Gatting be tempted to try to regain his England place to get revenge for “that” ball?

He said: “No, no, no. I shan’t be coming back anywhere near, and I don’t think Shane will either.”

Joking aside, Gatting thinks England are heading in the right direction despite failing to beat New Zealand in last weekend’s first test. They face a sterner challenge when South Africa visit later in the summer.

He said: “England should be too strong for New Zealand although New Zealand never give up.

“The pleasing thing was the opening partnership looked more solid and Michael Vaughan got some runs. He’s been teasing us for a little while, looking good and getting out, and now he’s got that hundred I don’t think it’ll be the last one this series.

“South Africa will be a really tough series. They are a very experienced side, with some very tough players and probably the best all-rounder in the world in Jacques Kallis, a very good captain in Graeme Smith, and some very good seam bowlers.

“They might just lack a little bit, experience-wise, in the spin department but they’ll certainly be a challenge for England.”

With many of the world’s best players earning big bucks playing 20/20 cricket in India, was Gatting worried about England’s best forsaking the test arena to join them?

He said: “No. If you want to play test cricket for England you’ve got to be around, it clashes a bit so it’s not going to be that easy for the England guys to play.”

And with Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford pumping money into the short version of the game in the West Indies, and promising to do the same in England, it’s bonanza time for the current generation of stars.

“Allen Stanford has been a breath of fresh air for West Indies cricket and cricket in general,” said Gatting. “His money will compete with what the Indians are putting in. To have a five-year contract for the sort of money he’s putting in is tremendous for cricket.

“You always like to earn money but for me playing for England is the thing. That’s everyone’s dream.”

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk