12 February 2004	Thursday	20 Zilhaj 1424

MELBOURNE, Feb 11: Australia's Shane Warne finally bowled the first ball of his comeback from a 12-month doping ban on Wednesday, taking 2-32 in 16 overs for Victoria against Queensland in a second XI interstate match.

Unlike his first ball in an Ashes Test, which spun across a bewildered Mike Gatting to clip the off-stump bail at Old Trafford in 1993, Warne's first comeback delivery slid down the leg side, beating batsman and wicket-keeper.

But the wrist spinner hit back to claim two wickets before Queensland reached the close on 217 for four in reply to Victoria's first innings of 379 for five declared with one day's play remaining.

The 34-year-old Warne had missed the opening day of the four-day match because his suspension did not end until Tuesday. He will then have two matches for Victoria's first XI against Tasmania, a one-dayer on Saturday and a four-day game starting on Monday, to impress Australia's selectors before the squad for the Sri Lanka test tour is announced on February 20.

Victoria coach Greg Shipperd told reporters on Wednesday Warne could have done with a lot more bowling behind him before the two Tasmania matches. "From a precision point of view, he's going to feel underdone," Shipperd said.

"But he has a fantastic history behind him, the bowler, and we're keen as mustard to get him back and give him the best opportunity, like any of our players, to play for Australia."

Warne was banned last year after testing positive for a diuretic, which can be used to mask other drugs, in the biggest doping scandal to hit cricket. His 12-month ban ended on Tuesday, the second day of the second XI match being played at Melbourne's Junction Oval.

One of Wisden's five cricketers of the century, Warne made 11 with the bat for Victoria and took a slip catch on day two but did not get a bowl before rain halted play.

Further rain delays frustrated onlookers and a large media pack again on Wednesday before the blond leg spinner was thrown the ball late in the afternoon once the skies had cleared.

Top-selling Melbourne tabloid the Herald Sun, which boasts Warne as a columnist, hailed the "Return of the King" on Wednesday, before he had even bowled a ball.

The newspaper's main back-page headline appeared to sum up the cricket-loving nation's hopes, GO SHANE, and added a kicker heading: "Ticket to Sri Lanka already booked", in a reference to Australia's Test tour next month. -Reuters