Cricket: Warne lets actions do the talking

Shane Warne gave an indication his personal problems would have no bearing on his cricket as he smashed 93 not out in his first match since his marriage bust-up.

The legspinner had caused some concern among the Australian camp that his split from wife Simone might prove an unwanted distraction in the lead-up to the Ashes, but he was clearly happy to be playing again after a raft of recent sex scandals finally undid his marriage of almost 10 years.

Warne mingled with spectators before the start of the four-day match against Middlesex at the Walker Cricket Ground, in the northern London suburb of Southgate, and joked and jostled with teammates during the warm-up.

He then hit the ball cleanly in a great knock after coming in at No 9.

His 73-ball innings contained three sixes and 11 fours, and although he was dropped twice, on 39 and 62, his aggression took Hampshire from a wobbly 7-189 to 8-331 at stumps on day one.

Warne preferred to let his actions speak for themselves, as he declined requests to speak to reporters both before the match started and after the first day's play.

But he did sign autographs for a handful of fans and posed for a photograph for another fan before he got on the Hampshire team bus.

Warne, who is poised to reach his second first-class century after making 107 not out against Kent in May, will join the Australian Test squad after this match.

Warne took to the Middlesex bowling immediately and brought up his half-century with a six down the ground off the bowling of left-arm spinner Chris Peploe.

Earlier he took 17 runs off one over bowled by New Zealand allrounder Scott Styris.

Warne's aggression struck a chord with the crowd, and as he walked off the ground he was greeted by cheers of "Well batted, Shaney boy".

Warne, 35, returned to England earlier in the week from southern Spain, where he and Simone shared a family holiday with their children Brooke, Jackson and Summer.

His estranged wife and the children returned to Melbourne on Friday.

Test cricket's leading wicket-taker, who is 17 dismissals short of 600, will join his Australian teammates for next week's three-day match against Leicestershire.

That match is Australia's last warm-up clash before the first Ashes Test against England, at Lord's starting July 21.

- AAP