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Warne holds no fears about touring Lanka

Australian leg spinner Shane Warne said on Friday he held no fears about touring Sri Lanka despite his strong criticism of Arjuna Ranatunga at the cricket World Cup.

Warne said in a column in London's Times newspaper in May that the sport would be better off without Ranatunga because of his on-field behaviour.

The Australian was subsequently reprimanded, fined and handed a suspended two-game ban.

Ranatunga has since been axed as Sri Lanka captain but said last week he had no objection to playing under new skipper Sanath Jayasuriya.

Warne told reporters on Friday he did not expect a public backlash over the row when Australia undertake a tour of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe next month.

"Myself and Arjuna have obviously had a bit of a slanging match over the years but I think it's all in good fun," said Warne, who earlier this month abandoned thoughts of early retirement.

"When it gets on the field we're both crafty people, we like to use anything to try to get an edge. Arjuna has been sacked as captain, I don't know whether he'll play or not, but playing Sri Lanka over in Sri Lanka is going to be tough."

Warne's excellent form during the World Cup has resulted in his selection as vice-captain for both the Test and one-day squads on the forthcoming tour, despite having been dropped for the final Test match of Australia's tour to the West Indies.

He said he was hopeful he could win back his Test berth from fellow-legspinner Stuart MacGill and his time away from cricket after the World Cup had fired his desire.

Warne refused to reveal his goals but said it was only the second time in his career he had set them.

"I have set those and they are over a period of 12 months and if I achieve them I'm sure we'll win too."

Warne also praised surgeons who operated on his shoulder last year, saying they were stunned at the speed of his recovery and form at the World Cup.

The Sri Lanka tour lasts from August 22 to October 3, with the Zimbabwe leg running from October 8 to October 24.

UNI