SYDNEY, Sept 30: Shane Warne had plenty of cricket left and would command a place in the Australian cricket team as long as he was physically capable, captain Ricky Ponting said Friday.

The incomparable leg-spinner, who at times single-handedly wrestled with England’s Ashes series challenge taking 40 wickets, has indicated he may not be around when the Ashes battle resumes in Australia late next year.

Warne, 36, has yet to confirm whether he will play in Australia’s home Tests against the West Indies and South Africa this southern summer.

Ponting, speaking in Hobart, said he would have Warne in his team “every day of the week”.

“You’ve just got to look at the way he performed in England,” Ponting told reporters.

“Forty wickets in the series and some very handy runs as well ... he was the best player on both sides, I think, right through the series.”

Ponting said Warne would be in the Test team as long as he was physically able.—AFP