Shane Warne’s return to cricket ended in defeat after his Melbourne Stars team crashed to a six-wicket defeat against Sydney Thunder.
The leg-spinner, who retired earlier this year, made a negligible contribution to his side’s efforts conceding 19 runs in two overs without taking a wicket, while his services with the bat were not required.
David Warner, who opens for Australia in Test cricket, hit warn for two sixes as he clocked up 102 not out off just 51 balls to set the Thunder up for their victory. Anyone who had placed a Twenty20 cricket bet on the Thunder would have been very impressed.
“Didn’t go to plan for us tonight, but hey, it’s only the first game,” Warne tweeted. “We will bounce back.”
It was the first time Warne had played at the MCG since his retirement from international cricket following the 2006/09 Ashes whitewash inflicted on England.
While Warne was left to lament a defeat, Warner described the match a capping his best week in cricket.
Speaking to the Cricket Australia website, he explained that the Big Bash game and his maiden Test century had come about because he was hitting the ball better than he ever has.
He also explained that although Warne’s return to cricket had been in the media spotlight ahead of the match, the Thunder had not let it faze them.
“At the end of the day it’s another bowler. If you’re going to toss it up in my area I’m going to try and take him down,” Warner said.