Coaching role in new competition could open door for Shane Warne to help out Australian team

Shane Warne’s confirmation as head coach for the London-based team in England’s new The Hundred competition could bring him a step closer to linking with the Australian team.

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Shane Warne’s confirmation as head coach for the London-based team in England’s new The Hundred competition could bring him a step closer to linking with the Australian team.

The Test legend will take control of the team in the new 100-ball format when it begins in 2020.

Warne has often said he is only a phone call away from helping out the Australian team and apart form a brief stint as a spin mentor for the T20 team in 2014 has not been an official part of the coaching set-up.

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Shane Warne will coach the London-based team in England’s new The Hundred competition. Picture: Getty Images

New coach Justin Langer has shown a willingness to lean on the greats of Australian cricket, with Ricky Ponting an assistant during the World Cup and Steve Waugh acting as a team mentor during the Ashes.

Warne, who has held coaching roles in the Indian Premier League, reiterated earlier this year in his Herald Sun column that he was interested in helping the Australian team at any time.

“I’ve always been happy to get involved in any role if Cricket Australia thought I could help the team,” Warne wrote. “I’m sure all the ex-players would be the same.

“We’ve got a lot of spinners coming through who I’ve helped in an informal role. And I’m more than happy to help in a formal basis if required.”

Upon being appointed to his latest coaching role, Warne said he loved the concept of the new competition, which has been highly criticised in England.

Shane Warne is open to a coaching role within the Australian set-up. Picture: Alex Coppel

“The opportunity to coach in a brand new tournament and work with modern-day players is something that I will really enjoy and I am looking forward to the challenge,” Warne said.

“I love the concept of The Hundred and it has grabbed my attention in the same way the IPL did.

“We built a team from scratch with a diverse range of players from different backgrounds and ages and I can’t wait to build the same mix of players to entertain the fans who come down to Lord’s for The Hundred.

“I’ve always been open to (coaching) any country, but obviously I would love to coach Australia – not coach Australia but be part of the Australian set-up if they needed it.”

Victorian coach Andrew McDonald will also coach in The Hundred, taking over the Birmingham team. He is also being touted as a potential replacement for England head coach Trevor Bayliss, who will step down after the Ashes.