Cricket: Warne Ready to Call It a Day

If England cherished any notions that their next trip down under might be to a Shane Warne-free zone, they can think again. According to his brother and manager Jason, Warne is now likely to quit Test cricket only after the 2006-07 Ashes in Australia, by which time he will be 37 and may have as many as 700 Test wickets under his belt.

Warne yesterday lightheartedly questioned the source of the story, probably unaware that it had emanated from his brother. "He's mentioned that [date] during talks we've had about when he might retire," said Jason. "When he does finish, he wants it to be on his terms."

Warne's Hampshire were not in action in the latest round of championship matches, leaving the way clear for the title holders Warwickshire to extend their lead in the First Division with a seven-wicket win over Middlesex at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Ashley Giles took six for 91 in the Middlesex second innings to give him 24 wickets in three matches - nine more than his nearest rival. Ian Bell then hit an unbeaten 47 to go with his first-innings 231 as Warwickshire made light work of their target of 115, and he finished April with 480 first-class runs, beating Graeme Hick's 17-year-old record of 410.

In the Second Division Lancashire recorded their first championship victory for 14 games against Worcestershire. Their coach Mike Watkinson then revealed that he hopes Andrew Flintoff, who held two smart catches at silly point, will be bowling again competitively "in a couple of weeks".

Flintoff, however, said that he was only 75% fit with the ball but that he would like to play in the two-Test series against Bangladesh, starting at Lord's on May 26, as a batsman. An ECB spokesman said it was too early to make a judgement.

West Indies bounced back from losing their opener Wavell Hinds in the second over to finish the third day of the fourth Test against South Africa on 299 for one. A record partnership of 285 between Chris Gayle (184) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (103) salvaged some pride for the home side, the tourists having earlier declared on 588 for six.