A real legend within cricket is, as you might know, the Australian Shane Warne. From his first test match in 1992, Shane’s career sky rocketed and reached a lot of records, like 1000 wickets during international play.

Equally famous for his on-pitch efforts, Shane has been a lot in the press for off-pitch activities. One of those scandals was the newspaper column remark made about Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga.
With a great cricket career, Shane also become spoke persons for Victoria Bitter and at one point he was also a expert commentator for the Nine Network.

Shane played first-class cricket from 1992 up until 2008 to pursue other interests besides cricket, but he actually joined the the Rajasthan Royals for a while and the team, as well as Shane, did great and after that there was a huge fan base that wanted Shane back in the first-class scene.

The off-pitch activites

After retiring from cricket, Shane moved on to play poker for the website 888. In true Shane Warne spirit, he’s doing great playing poker and have managed to become the captain of the 888 in the WSOP, which is one of the biggest events in poker and he played the main event. If you want to keep track of that event yourself, check it out through this guide to poker to find the updates.

England batsman Jonathan Trott believes England must carry over their form against India from earlier in the summer if they are to emerge victorious in their five match series which gets underway later this week.

Trott has been arguably England’s most in form batsman over the past 12 months, and reached 74 as England recorded a 253-run victory over a Hyderabad CA XI on Wednesday at the same venue they will take on India on Friday.

Jonny Bairstow was in sparkling form as he hit 104 from just 54 balls to put forward a compelling case to be included in the England team that take to the field on Friday, most likely at the expense on Ian Bell.

Alastair Cook and Craig Keiswetter also passed 50 as England reached 367-4 to set an imposing total for the hosts to chase.

Scott Borthwick was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 5/31 as HCA were bowled out for 114 to record an emphatic victory.

The South African-born batsman has been encouraged by England’s performances in the warm up matches for the five game series as they picked up their second win in as many games.

“We don’t really see them as warm-up games,” said England’s number three.

“We try to play them as if they were ODIs – so that come the real thing, we’re not surprised by different eventualities.

“It was very pleasing to be able to post that big score, then bowl them out for such a small total.

“But we know it will be a little bit different come the weekend.” He added.

Trott has also been impressed by the competition for places, and believes England now have a variety of players capable of winning high and low scoring games, pointing to the two very different manner of victories so far in their warm up schedule.

“It’s been very good,” Trott commented.

“We’ve worked really hard in the nets, and the two games. They were very different scoring games, and it’s good to be able to win both.

“Whatever eventuality comes up in our first ODI, I’m pretty confident we can defend both sorts of targets.”

While on the tour of India, the England players may choose to visit pokerstars uk to fill up their spare time in between matches.

Ahead of the first One Day International with India tomorrow, England captain Alastair Cook has revealed that he is pleased to have a selection headache.

Cook and coach Andy Flower must choose eleven players from a strong 15-man squad for the first of five ODI matches and it is unclear which way they might go.

Yorkshire youngster Jonny Bairstow put his name forward for a place with an unbeaten 104 in a recent warm-up game, while fellow new boy Scott Borthwick also impressed with his spin, taking five wickets in the same match.

Should these two get the nod, more experienced players such as Ian Bell could miss out and there enlies the problem for Cook.

However, he believes it is a sign that this England team is on the up and welcoems the tough decisions he is being forced to make.

He said: “It’s a great headache to have isn’t it? Let’s be honest, it’s one you always want to have, to be able to leave out good players, it shows a good side. And certainly when we get a few more players back from injury as well, you’re then thinking ‘which players do you leave out?”

“It becomes very tough but that as an overall thing for an England side, and certainly being the captain of the side, it’s such an encouraging place to be in.”

“We’ve always said you need a big squad, people to be able to fit in, fit out, injuries happen and to cover all bases.”

“We’re certainly getting there at the moment, just with this squad of players. So it’s very encouraging signs; it doesn’t count for anything but it’s nice to have those selection headaches.”

Many will agree that it is difficult to leave out Bairstow after his recent showings though and it would perhaps be a step backwards if Bell was selected ahead of him.

Of course Bell is a world-class batsman, but he hasn’t always done it in 50-over cricket and it England are thinking about 2015, they need to get the likes of Bairstow involved as soon as possible. Especially when it looks as if he will be a very positive addition to the team.

So, even those playing online baccarat will tell you that Bairstow has a good chance of playing. As for Borthwick, that could be a little more difficult with Graeme Swann and Samit Patel – who England are desperate to give a run in the side – already in the side as spinners.

Cook also needs to decide on the make up of the rest of his bowling line-up. Senior man James Anderson is being rested for this series, meaning that Tim Bresnan will more than likely lead the attack.

It is then a case of picking from Stuart Meaker, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn and Chris Woakes for the final two seamers in the side.

Whatever Cook and Flower go for, it is going to be a young and exciting England team looking to prove their worth in the sub-continent.

Mitchell Johnson is going to be an integral part of Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa and he is targeting wickets after some disappointing performances in the baggy greens.

The 29-year-old paceman has always struggled for consistency and he has been under scrutiny from Aussie fans for years, especially in recent months as he only managed three wickets at an average of 52.17 in the games with Sri Lanka. Those placing cricket bets will know he needs to improve if he is going to help his side to victory.

Johnson is going to play an ever more important role after it was revealed fast bowler Brett Lee is to miss the trip to South Africa after undergoing surgery for appendicitis.

He is now out to repay the faith in him after failing to get wickets last time out despite claiming he bowled “pretty well and pretty consistently”.

“My pace was up. So it’s just getting those wickets on board. If I bowled like I did in Sri Lanka in South Africa, I think I’m going to get wickets over there,” predicts Johnson.

Australia face South Africa in two twenty20 matches, three one-day games and also two Tests in what promises to be an exciting battle between two top cricketing nations. Those following the cricket betting promotions will be keeping a close eye on the games.

Cricket Australia have so far not stated whether or not they will call up a replacement for the paceman Lee ahead of the first match with South Africa starting on Thursday.

Whatever happens it is going to be a crucial tour for Johnson as he needs to show the critics he warrants a place in the Australia side.