Warne steals show in park comeback

Shane Warne made a remarkable return to suburban cricket as the champion leg-spinner helped his former junior club to victory inside one day at East Sandringham in Melbourne on Saturday.

Ahead of the Cricket All Stars series that Warne and Indian great Sachin Tendulkar will be hosting in North America next month, the 46-year-old made an impact with bat and ball for East Sandringham Cricket Club in front of a couple of thousand delighted fans in Melbourne's south-east.

Quick Single: Full Scorecard

There were glimpses of the Warne of old with the ball as the King of Spin took 2-31 from 9.3 overs, before making a swashbuckling 38-ball 40 batting at No.3 as East Sandringham took first-innings points against local rival Bentleigh ANA in the SECA Cricket competition.

But Warne and East Sandringham weren’t done there as they declared their innings closed when they passed Bentleigh ANA’s paltry score of 73 and then went about pursuing an unlikely outright victory within one day.

That proved a task too big as Bentleigh ANA crawled to 5-35 at stumps – with Warne snaring 2-17 in the second innings – but an outright victory for East Sandringham should prove a formality when the match concludes next week.

The game was Warne’s first for East Sandringham since he turned out for the club in a Twenty20 match in 2008, and brought back memories for many who saw him learn his craft as a junior before joining St Kilda in the district ranks.

TIMELINE

5.40 - Another bowl, another two-fer!

Following East Sandringham's declaration at 3-74 (of which Warnie made 40 - see below), Bentleigh crashed (again) in their second innings, falling to 5-32, of which Warne had another two.

Second time around, the Sheik of Tweak had 2-17 from eight as the close of play loomed.

4.05 - The King's cameo comes to an end

A brisk 48-ball 40, including to sixes and four fours, comes to an end when Sippos gets one through Warne's defences.

When was the last time SKW batted at No.3?

3.06 - Batting

No time to rest as SKW is back out in the middle to face the sixth ball of East Sandy's innings batting at first-drop.

Protection is key

2.45 - Innings over. Bentleigh ANA 73 all-out

The visitors are all out for 73 with Warne finishes with 9-0-31-2. Bowling, Shane.

Final scorecard

The classic scorebook, now in yellow

Warne (far right) applauding Jenko and the boys

2.40 - Nine overs 9-0-29-2

Warne in full rhythm now as Bentleigh continue to struggle at 9-68.

2.28 WICKET!

He's done it again! Bentleigh ANA's coach attempts to clip Warne off his toes but the ball is intercepted at short mid-wicket to complete a blinding grab.

Back to the pavilion

2.20 - Seventh over 7-0-26-1

The wily old fox keeps tossing them up, inviting the batsmen to hit over the top and the invitation is taken off the last ball of the over as Warnie is belted for six over mid-wicket.

2.12 - Sixth over 6-0-20-1

Five top drawer deliveries are undone by a long hop that is dispatched behind square leg for four.

2.07 - Injury drama!

Warne clutches his groin (now now) and stretches it throughout his fifth over. More stretching after his fifth over, 5-0-16-1

Streeeetch

2.02 - Fourth over 4-0-15-1

Big revs on the ball in the fourth over. The joys of a synthetic pitch. To be fair, SKW could spin it on glass.

1.54 - WICKET!

After getting for four, the young batsman comes down the wicket to repeat the damage but the crafty veteran outfoxes his younger foe, beating him in the flight as the ball whizzes past the bat and is out stumped. Warnie finding his groove, 3-0-1-14

Still go it, with cap and sunnies on

Cheers, lads

1.49 - Second over - 2-0-10-0

He's tossing them up. Second ball is driven to the extra cover boundary for four. SKW pulls out the flipper fourth ball without success. St Kilda footballer Arryn Siposs then takes Warnie for one with a punch through cover.

1.43 - First over 1-0-4-0

Warnie's first three deliveries are bang on target. Goes a little harder with the fourth and produces a full toss that is smashed to the boundary. An ambitious lbw shout follows, before ending the over sedately.

1.40 - Warnie takes the ball

After a few stretches the King of Spin does his thing. Bentleigh in trouble at 4-19

1.15pm - Early strikes

Bentleigh are in all sorts at 2-1 while Warne watches on from first slip

Back at his customary first slip

1pm - Game time

12.15pm - Toss

East Sandy win the toss and elect to bowl. No Brad Hodge, but Warnie's side will get first crack on the hard, greenish deck.

Today's playing surface. Should offer a bit to both the seamers and spinners

SKW limbering up

Catching practice