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Warne ready to take on Kiwis
November 11, 2004 13:52 IST
Australia leg spinner Shane Warne said on Thursday he was confident of overcoming a broken thumb for next week's first Test against New Zealand, adding he was motivated by team success rather than the world record.
"It (the record) is not a motivating thing. Every time you play cricket, my job is take as many wickets as I can," Warne told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.
"I enjoy playing against New Zealand and Pakistan. They've been two countries (against whom) I've had a lot of success with the ball, but also with the bat.
"At this stage, I'm fully confident I will get through five days and I'm looking forward to playing the Kiwis again."
Australia will host Two tests against New Zealand, in Brisbane from November 18-22 and Adelaide from November 26-30, followed by a three-Test series against Pakistan starting on December 16 in Perth.
The 35-year-old Warne has taken a world record 541 Test wickets, nine more than Sri Lanka off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who is expected to return from injury in New Zealand in January.
Warne missed last week's fourth and final Test in India after he was struck on the thumb while batting in the nets.