MELBOURNE, Dec 26: Champion cricketer Shane Warne will coach and develop young spin bowlers in a new initiative announced Wednesday by Cricket Australia (CA).

Warne, who revolutionised leg-spin bowling during his 15-year playing career, will work for CA encouraging young aspiring spin bowlers, the sport’s governing body here said.

Warne, who captured a then world record 708 wickets in 145 Tests before his retirement after last January’s home Ashes series against England, will pass on his skills and knowledge to a new generation of Australian spinners.

CA said Warne, 38, will also spend time at the CA Centre of Excellence and work with the Australian women’s and men’s squads.

He will be part of preparations for the Australian Under-19 team before they head to the ICC World Cup in 2008.

Warne said he was looking forward to giving something back to cricket.

“The work I’m going to be doing with young spinners and their state captains is a really important role and I believe I’ve got a lot to offer,” Warne said.

“I’ve already had some contact with some youngsters around the country but to be able to work in a structured way with spin bowlers and their captains will hopefully give teams an even greater understanding of how to develop spin bowling talent.

“The initiatives I’ll be working on with kids and in the area of game development are important and I intend to make a meaningful contribution back into the grass-roots of cricket.”—AFP