Cricket: Warne under pressure to play in 2009 Ashes

Shane Warne

SYDNEY - After an exceptional year, Shane Warne is being urged to extend his test career until the 2009 Ashes tour of England.

The Australian leg-spinner will turn 40 in September that year but his supporters insist age is irrelevant for a man at the top of his game.

Warne, test cricket's most successful bowler, captured 40 wickets on this year's Ashes tour and last week broke Dennis Lillee's world record for the most test wickets in a calendar year.

Australian selector Merv Hughes told reporters in Melbourne there was nothing to stop Warne from playing for years to come.

"I'd like to see Warney play until 2009," Hughes said. "At the moment he is taking wickets and bowling well." Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist said he wouldn't be surprised if Warne was still playing in 2009.

"He just keeps coming back, so I've got no doubt he'll play as long as he wants and he's got the hunger. He just loves it," Gilchrist said.

Warne, whose career has been dogged by injuries and a 12-month drug ban, has not decided when he will quit the game.

He gave up one-day cricket nearly three years ago to prolong his test career and shows no signs of slowing down in the longer version of the game.

"As long as I'm batting and bowling well enough and catching good, I'll keep going," he told reporters.

"Once that enjoyment stops and I'm not performing well then I might stop."

- REUTERS