November 09, 2006	Thursday	Shawwal 16, 1427

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SYDNEY, Nov 8: Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne on Wednesday said he wanted to claim his 700th Test wicket during the upcoming Ashes series and ruled out retiring while he still enjoyed playing the game.

Already Test cricket's leading wicket-taker with 685 scalps, Warne said he hoped the series against England would take him past the 700 mark.

“I only need 15, so I'd like to think at some stage during the series I'd get that,” he told reporters.

The 37-year-old said there was no need to consider retirement if he was still taking wickets.

“I'm probably fitter now than when I started, also I think it's dictated by performances - if you're performing your role in the team well, it really doesn't matter about your age,” he said.

“As long as we're playing good cricket and we're winning and we're fit, I don't think that'll come into it at all.” Warne was non-committal when asked whether the Ashes series beginning November 23 would be his last.

“If it's my last series it's my last series,” he said

“I don't know whether it will be or not, retirement is about enjoyment, it's very enjoyable playing cricket for Australia at the moment.

“We've won 11 out of 12 Tests since the Ashes, we've played well, I enjoy playing under Ricky and we've got a good group of guys together.

“How long that lasts, whether it's two years, three years, four years - who knows? I'm only 37.”

Warne, speaking to reporters at Wednesday's official Ashes launch in Sydney, said England would be better off going with Panesar and Read. “I think the two key areas... are the wicketkeeping department and the spin bowling department,” he said.

“I think with Chris Read, the way he keeps, he's obviously the best 'keeper. I think everyone thinks and realises he's the best 'keeper in England. And Monty Panesar is a match-winning spinner, which he's done this (English) summer and shown how far he can spin the ball.

Warne said England's leading players Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen would also be even more dangerous than last year because of the extra experience. —Agencies