Warnie eyeing World Cup comeback; in touch with Ponting, CA

Sydney, Apr 30 (UNI) Australia coach John Buchanan has admitted that Shane Warne is in talks with captain Ricky Ponting and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch about his possible return to one-day cricket before the World Cup next year.

''Ricky, myself and (chairman of selectors) Andrew Hilditch have all had discussions with Shane about the World Cup,'' Buchanan told the ''Sydney Morning Herald''.

''There needs to be commitment from him. Either he makes himself available in terms of the team moving forward with its plans, or not. And then the selectors will have some decisions on their plate from there,'' he added.

Buchanan said the champion leg-spinner had been in constant touch with Ponting and Hilditch since the away series in South Africa and as Cricket Australia (CA) decides on the new players' contracts this week, Warne has been told to come out clear about his plans.

''Shane spoke to us in South Africa, and then again in Bangladesh. There are a lot of considerations for him, mainly in terms of the longevity of his career. He needs to come to a conclusion. With the contract meetings coming up, I imagine it will be one of the topics for discussion,'' Buchanan revealed.

Warne had retired from one-day cricket after he was suspended for taking banned drugs at the 2003 edition of the World Cup in South Africa. Speculations have been rife of a possible return after Ponting admitted that the team was desperately missing his services.

CA will announce the list of 25 contracted players this week and debutants Phil Jacques and Stuart Clark are likley to be upgraded.

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