The clamour for Shane Warne's return to international cricket notwithstanding, Australia coach Tim Nielsen feels it would be difficult for the former leg-spinner to make a comeback.
The Australian fans have been calling for Warne's return after the national side lost by an innings and 71 runs against England in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide last week, but Nielsen said the 41-year-old hardly has any time to make up his mind for a sensational comeback.
"Warnie hasn't got a lot of time. He has been working hard in the commentary box so it might be a bit hard for him to jump out to the middle," Nielsen told the Herald Sun.
"If we had to bowl for 150 overs he might feel the heat. Warnie has been four years out of international cricket and only played Twenty20 cricket. There is a vast difference in that sort of format compared to what Test cricket wants and asks of you," he said.
"He only has three weeks. I don't know where he is at with it or if he has talked about it. I haven't spoken to the selectors. They are meeting (today) and will have a pretty clear idea of where they are going then," he added.
Nielsen said he can understand the public outcry for Warne's return, especially when the national team is fairing poorly.
"When you have bad games people will always look for answers, go back to look at the greats of the past," he said following reports that Warne has been offered $1 million by businessmen to come out of retirement and salvage Australia in the ongoing five-Test Ashes series against England.
Nielsen said a wounded Australia would come out all guns blazing against England in the third Test starting December 16 at Perth.
"We don't want to be chasing our tails. We have to drive the game in Perth not play catch-up," he said.
© 2024 Rediff.com -