Bowling legend Shane Warne has refused to rule out coaching the Australian cricket team after Darren Lehmann tearfully resigned from the post over the ball tampering scandal.
Warne on Friday was commentating Australia’s first Test since the team lost disgraced trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who conspired to ball tamper against South Africa last weekend.
The 48-year-old – who is a former drug cheat and once took cash from a bookmaker in return for inside information – said he hadn’t given coaching Australia ‘much thought’ until he was asked during the broadcast.
Shane Warne (pictured in 2013) has refused to rule out coaching the Australian cricket team after Darren Lehmann tearfully resigned from the post over the ball tampering scandal
Warne on Friday was commentating Australia’s first Test since the team lost disgraced trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who conspired to ball tamper against South Africa last weekend
The 48-year-old (pictured after Ashes victory in 1997) said he hadn’t given coaching Australia ‘much thought’ until he was asked during the broadcast
Warne refused to rule out becoming Australian coach despite being a former drug cheat who once took cash from a bookmaker in return for inside information
‘For me, I’ve always been able to help out any team, any young spin bowler, any captain, anyone,’ Warne said, according to Wide World Of Sports.
‘I love being involved in the game, I’m passionate about the game so I’m happy to be involved. Whether it’s a head coaching position … I’m happy to help out the Australian team whenever.
‘Whether I’m going to put my hand up to do that, I’m not sure … I haven’t given it much thought until you just asked me.’
His comments came hours after Lehmann quit as Australian cricket coach, citing a need for the team to ‘move forward’ after the ball tampering scandal.
The team’s culture has come under intense scrutiny in recent months, with many criticising it for a win-at-all-costs mentality that culminated in pre-meditated cheating on Saturday.
Warne hinted he’d be willing to take over, despite being involved in multiple scandals of his own during his playing career.
‘Whether I’m going to put my hand up to do that, I’m not sure … I haven’t given it much thought until you just asked me,’ Warne said
His comments came hours after Lehmann (pictured) quit as Australian cricket coach, citing a need for the team to ‘move forward’ after the ball tampering scandal
Warne (pictured with ex girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley) hinted he’d be willing to take over, despite being involved in multiple scandals of his own during his playing career
In 1995, Cricket Australia, then known as the Australian Cricket Board, fined Warne $10,000 and batsman Mark Waugh $8,000 for providing information to an Indian bookmaker during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka the year before.
The ACB didn’t confirm they had fined the players until 1998.
Warne was then dismissed as Australian vice captain in 2000 after he was accused of bombarding British nurse Donna Wright, then 22, with lewd phone messages.
He later admitted to ‘having a bit of dirty talk’ on the phone and claimed Ms Wright was a willing participant in the conversations.
In 1995, Cricket Australia, then known as the Australian Cricket Board, fined Warne (pictured in 1998 explaining his actions) for providing information to an Indian bookmaker during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka the year before
Warne was then dismissed as Australian vice captain in 2000 after he was accused of bombarding British nurse Donna Wright, then 22, with lewd phone messages
Warne celebrates winning the Ashes in 1997 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England
Exotic dancer Angela Gallagher in 2003 claimed she had an affair with Warne after they met at a Melbourne nightclub.
She claimed the pair exchanged numbers before Warne sent a barrage of texts, including one which read: ‘Sweetie, I want to meet you in the toilets,’ The Age reported.
Ms Gallagher said she continued to receive calls from Warne who asked her for phone sex when she turned down his offer for a date.
Warne’s wife Simone Callahan stayed by his side until 2005, when he was accused of badgering another English woman, Laura Sayers, then 25, for sex after a night out in London.
Warne’s brother and agent at the time Jason said: ‘We are not prepared to continually defend ourselves against publicity seeking individuals whose purpose is to gain notoriety for themselves at Shane Warne’s expense.’
Warne’s wife Simone Callahan (pictured) stayed by his side until 2005, when he was accused of badgering English woman, Laura Sayers, then 25, for sex after a night out in London
During the Cricket World Cup in 2003, Warne received a 12 month ban after testing positive for banned diuretic drugs
He claimed he had taken the pill for his appearance and not to mask other performance enhancing drugs, which he was accused of taking to speed up recovery for a shoulder injury
Warne (pictured in 2013) also claimed his mother gave him the pill to help him ‘get rid of a double chin’, according to The Age
During the Cricket World Cup in 2003, Warne received a 12 month ban after testing positive for banned diuretic drugs.
He claimed he had taken the pill for his appearance and not to mask other performance enhancing drugs, which he was accused of taking to speed up recovery for a shoulder injury.
Warne also claimed his mother gave him the pill to help him ‘get rid of a double chin’, according to The Age.
‘I feel I am the victim of the anti-doping hysteria … I have never taken any performance enhancing drugs and I never will,’ Warne said after his ban was announced.
‘I have never blamed my mum. I thought it was important to clarify where the tablet came from. It had nothing to do with cricket or trying to mask anything. It had to do with appearance.’
Warne at a Sydney parade for the Australian cricket team in 1995 – the same year he was fined for providing information to an Indian bookmaker during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka
Warne celebrates in the Australian dressing room after defeating England at the Gabba in 1994
Warne pictured with lead singer of INXS Michael Hutchence in 1993