The Ashes: Warne comeback on the cards?

Shane Warne last played for Australian in 2007. Photo / Getty Images

Desperate times call for desperate measures and with the Australian cricket team hitting a new low is spin king Shane Warne about to come out of retirement and return to test cricket?

With the Australian side facing the prospect of an Ashes defeat at home following yesterday's second test loss to England by an innings and 71 runs, the idea of the 41-year-old returning to take on his old rivals in floating in the air.

Sydney Morning Herald columnist Peter Fitzsimons says the return of Warne, who took 708 test wickets during his career that spanned 15 years, is the only way Australia will be able to take 20 England wickets in a test.

"Yes, yes, I know he's 41. I know he's caused more ugly tabloid headlines than Paris Hilton. I know he hasn't bowled a ball in anger since April. I know all that. Don't lecture me. I didn't write the book on criticising Warne, but I intend to. None of that is important right now," he wrote.

"You have a choice of, say, Xavier Doherty, Nathan Hauritz, Cameron White and ... Shane Warne, in his Channel Nine commentary gear. How many would really throw the ball to any of the first three in such a scenario?"

Warne played his last test for Australia in January 2007 when the side completed a series victory over England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

His last competitive match was a Twenty20 encounter for the Rajasthan Royals earlier in the year.

Fitzsimons reports that Warne would only return if he was made captain, leading to a Sydney Morning Herald poll asking 'Should Shane Warne been given the Australian captaincy?'.

Seventy-three percent of readers said they would rather have a retired Warne as captain over Ricky Ponting.

Meanwhile British bookmakers are offering odds that Warne will end his four-year retirement before the Ashes ends.

William Hill bookmaker is offering odds of 6-1 that Warne will play some part in the remaining three matches.

That's only slightly longer odds than the 5-1 offered on Australia recovering from 1-0 down to regain the Ashes.

The biggest wager so far on Warne's return is 100 pounds ($NZ207).

Xavier Doherty took 1-158 in Adelaide and looks likely to follow Beau Casson, Cameron White, Jason Krejza and Bryce McGain on the list of rejected spinners since Warne retired.

Warne himself has played down the speculation in his column for the Telegraph newspaper, with the one-time party animal ironically preferring Beer over a return to the game.

"I'm flattered that people want me to return in the Ashes for Australia, but I'd go for (Western Australian spinner) Michael Beer," he wrote.

Warne is currently in England filming segments for his variety television show due to air in Australia this summer.

- Herald online