Sydney: The Australian Cricket Board said it will this weekend decide what disgraced Shane Warne can do during his one-year doping ban. The ACB meets in Bowral, in the New South Wales southern highlands, from Friday with Warne's immediate future on the agenda.
Warne has been ousted from cricket until February 10 next year after testing positive to a banned diuretic in January. The Lashings cricket club in England has offered him a place in its line-up, while he has also been informally linked with the St Kilda AFL club. Earlier in his ban, Victoria coach David Hookes said he was prepared to allow Warne to practise in the nets with the state team. Warne also has a contract with Channel Nine and when he was out of action with a dislocated shoulder was employed to commentate. But he hasn't done any commentary since his drugs ban. "Regardless of what cricket is proposed, whether it's official or unofficial, we need to see it before it can be approved under the terms of Warne's playing contract," ACB public affairs manager Peter Young said last month. "On the face of it, a privately-owned club (Lashings) does not seem appropriate." Warne cannot play for money while he's banned but the issue of playing for charity will be discussed this weekend, an ACB spokesman said on Thursday. Warne and his manager, brother Jason, have talked about the scope of Warne's cricket involvement with ACB operations manager Michael Brown. Warne's unofficial role at St Kilda could also be up for discussion. Warne, a long- time Saints fan and one-time player at junior level, has been involved on an ad hoc basis and the club doesn't expect his position to be made official. The ACB is not expected to make an announcement on Warne's future until at least Monday as any decision has to be conveyed to Warne before being made public.
Copyright AFP 2001 Extras:Warne to get share of World Cup windfall
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