Warne gives Clarke the shirt off his back

[Pagey]

http://forums.zgeek.com/gallery/data/thumbnails/1/clarkewarne_narrowweb__200x266.jpgShane Warne ended any prospect of rekindling his international limited-overs career yesterday when he passed his No.23 shirt to batting tyro Michael Clarke, beginning a tradition he hopes will be embraced as it is in Australian football.

Warne played the last of his 193 one-day internationals against England in January last year, a week after Clarke had played the first of his 34. But the leg spinner's subsequent 12-month ban for diuretic use, and some vintage performances since returning to the Test arena, fuelled speculation that he might bring the green-and-gold pyjamas out of retirement.

Yesterday he did, but only to hand them over to Clarke.

"If people didn't believe me for the last 18 months, hopefully they do now," Warne said.

"I've definitely retired at this stage of one-day cricket. Of course I'd love to keep playing, but I'm smart enough to know that if I continue to play both forms of the game then I don't think I'd play another three years of Test cricket, like I'd like to."

Read more here (http://www.smh.com.au/news/Cricket/Warne-gives-Clarke-the-shirt-off-his-back/2004/12/04/1101923388733.html)

[Moses]

23 was originally Jordan's number, I think that's why Warney took it?

[Pagey]

yeah that's right. He has to be the centre of attention as usual

[Keyser Söze]

Sorry to correct you fellas, The number has nothing to do with Michael Jordan.

It was Warney's number when he played under 19's for St. Kilda. He thinks of it as his lucky number.

[MAX POWER]

Was it not famous for Michael Jordan back when Warney was 19? I thought MJ was world famous back then?

[Hit And Rum]

The Nike Sponsorship of Warney and MJ didnt hurt!

[mr_russy]

i doubt he picked 23 because of MJ, unlike David Beckham who will do anything for publicity

[Moses]

Warney will do most things for publicity.. though in this case I think BJ_82 is on the Ball.

Warney - born 13/9/1969. He would have been playing under 19's in 1987/88.

Jordan - led the United States basketball team to a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, 1984.

I think it's fair to say Jordan was famous when Warey got that shirt..

and speaking of Warney, does anyone else think it's time Gillespie got promoted above him in the batting order?

[Hit And Rum]

Yeah Dizzy should be there no question. Having said that Warney has the total opposite approach to batting then Gillespie. Gillespie = watchful, patient
Warne = Wild swings impatient.

Gillespie = two patient fifties and plenty of rear gaurd actions

Warne = 6 and out especially his 99 v NZ at the WACA

[MAX POWER]

Yeah Warney is in no way a better batsman than Dizzy. Warney gets the nod in One Days Games coz he goes the tonk like good little Aussie, but in the 5 day game Dizzy is practically an all-rounder.