Heavyweight all-rounder Ian Blackwell plans to follow Andrew Flintoff's example as he bids to force his way into England's World Cup plans.
Blackwell, who weighs 17 and a half stone, was called into the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka when Flintoff decided to undergo a hernia operation.
"I have grown up with 'Freddie' all through the youth ages. He has always been a bit of a lad, I have got on with him really well.
"He has turned his life round and I would like to follow in his footsteps," said Blackwell.
English cricket will find out the name of its new leader when the result of a ballot is announced on Friday.
Mike Soper and David Morgan are standing for the chairmanship of the England and Wales Cricket Board, which becomes vacant when Lord MacLaurin stands down at the end of the year.
Soper, currently chairman of county champions Surrey, wants to improve facilities at county grounds and rid the game of what he believes is an old-fashioned image.
Morgan, the favoured candidate of MacLaurin after serving as his deputy, includes making the England team more successful and building a better relationship with the counties among his priorities.
MacLaurin decided to step down after six years because of business commitments.
Team trainer Jock Campbell said Warne had lost a lot of body fat over the past year which "he no longer has to lug around".
On top of that, lower body fat means he's better able to get rid of excess heat because there's less "insulation".
"Also he's improved his strength and power which means he hasn't lost any muscle, he's just lost body fat," Campbell added.
Being stronger and lighter Warne, who turned 33 today, will be able to bowl for longer periods without distress.
"I've lost 10 to 12 kilos," Warne told reporters in Colombo ahead of the Champions Trophy here.
"The reason was that I looked at the international schedule and thought `I want to play for another few years - it's a hectic schedule - so I want to be in the best shape I can be'."
The secret is cutting out beer, working out twice day and changing his diet.