Shane Warne Reveals He Thought Of Retiring From World Cricket During The 2003 Doping Ban

Legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne had revealed that he thought of bringing down the curtains on his illustrious career when he was banned from international cricket in 2003. Notably, Shane Warne received a 12-month ban from cricket in 2003.

Ahead of the World Cup 2003 in South Africa, the leg-spinner was tested positive in a drug test. This led to the Cricket Australia banning him from the game for one year. During this period, Warne was not allowed to practice at the board’s facilities or any other government-owned ones.

Now, the former Australian leggie has expressed as to how he was depressed on the thought of not playing international cricket and thought of giving up his career.

Shane Warne Reveals He Thought Of Retiring From World Cricket During The 2003 Doping Ban

“It was a tough one because the government obviously funds Cricket Australia. I was told by Cricket Australia that I could not train at any facility at all, whether it was club cricket, a normal cricket ground, anything,” said the 50-year-old during a show named “A Week With Warnie.”

“I started to think am I going to give the game away? I got pretty low with things. Pretty disappointed. I’ve done so much in the game. I’m not happy with everything the way it was, so that break did me good,” Shane Warne added.

Shane Warne Trained Against His Brother As He Wasn’t Allowed To Train Professionally

Once he returned from a family trip to Spain, the leg-spinner started to train again. At this time, he would play against his brother and actor Glenn Robbins. The bowler was banned from playing or practising against any professional batsman.

“A mate of a mate had an indoor cricket school in the middle of Woop Woop, Dandenong maybe. It opened up early at 6 am and I’d bowl to my brother (and) Glenn Robins. I wasn’t allowed to bowl to anyone (professional). I only did that for a couple of weeks before going on tour, so I basically did not bowl for a year,” he further said.

Shane Warne went on to become one of the most successful bowlers in world cricket. He ended his Test career with a staggering 708 wickets, second to only Muttiah Muralitharan in world cricket.

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