Clarke not giving up on Warne just yet
Test skipper Michael Clarke says he would love Shane Warne back in the Australian side for the Ashes but admits it's unlikely to happen.
Warne caused a stir earlier this week when he floated the idea of a comeback nearly seven years after he retired from the international scene, saying he could play in England next year.
Warne was less bullish about the subject yesterday and Cricket Australia insisted the world record wicket-taker must return to Sheffield Shield cricket first to be considered.
Clarke acknowledged that the leg-spin legend must front up for Victoria but News Ltd reports that he also kept the pot boiling by revealing he had spoken to Warne "a number of times" about a comeback and that any return would be "unbelievable".
"Warnie is looking great and he is the fittest I have ever seen him," Clarke said at a charity fundraiser in Sydney.
"From the day he retired I've been trying to get him back in the team. I've asked him to come out of retirement a number of times.
"But there is a process that comes with coming out of retirement and he wouldn't be able to come out of retirement and walk straight back into the Australian team. He'd have to go and play some state games for Victoria.
"I've had the conversation with the Cricket Australia CEO a number of times over the past five years and the plan hasn't changed.
"I think he would be unbelievable if he decided to come out and play. And what an amazing mentor he would be for the team."
