Warne will deliver FA Cup final ball to referee

London, May 12 (UNI) Soccer crazy fans are eagerly anticipating Shane Warne as the ace Aussie leggie flies down in Cardiff to kickstart the FA cup final between Liverpool and West Ham United by handing over the ball to the referee at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow.

A statement from sports goods manufacture Mitre quoted Warne as saying, ''I'm told I'm the first Aussie in history to deliver the ball and being the 125th FA Cup it makes it even more special.'' Warne, who leads Hampshire in the country cricket, signed a five-year contract with Mitre and according to the statement, he will travel by a helicopter from London, land on the Cardiff Bay Barrage and race up the River Taff to drop off the ball at the door of the Millennium Stadium.

As part of endorsement with the company, Warne and Mitre will team up to develop an innovative collection of apparel, equipment and footwear.

''The Shane Warne signature range will be suitable for cricketers of various abilities and ages and will also incorporate a casual collection. The product will be available in store from the beginning of 2007,'' the company said in a statement.

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