Shane Warne on Tuesday said he would not play in next year's cricket World Cup unless he is fully fit. Doubts arose about Warne's place in the squad after he dislocated his right shoulder on Sunday while fielding against England.
The Australian leg-spinner told a packed media conference in Melbourne that he was not prepared to risk further injury by coming back prematurely after dislocating his shoulder on the weekend.
"If I come back too soon and I am not 100 percent, that won't do anyone any good," Warne said.
"I'm going to give it my best shot to get it right as quick as I can. Hopefully that will be in time for the World Cup. If it's not, then so be it."
Warne (33) expects to be out of action for between four and six weeks while the World Cup starts on February 9.
"The surgery went okay but there are a few little things in there that need to be mended and healed. The various scenarios will be weighed
Warne said he would begin physiotherapy on his bowling shoulder within the next few days.
He underwent exploratory surgery on Monday, which showed there was no major damage to the bone but doctors said he would still be sidelined for at least a month, ruling him out of the final two Ashes tests and the rest of the triangular one-day series with England and Sri Lanka.
Warne's troublesome right shoulder needed complete reconstruction in 1998 and while this injury was unrelated, the world's second-highest wicket-taker said he was disappointed by the timing after working so hard to get himself fit again.
"I've been on a fitness campaign the last 12 months and been as fit as I've ever been, and bowling probably better than I ever have," Warne said.
"After all the injuries that I've had, it's pretty disappointing to have what happened to me the other night. But there are a lot worse things in the world at the moment than me with a dodgy shoulder," he said.
© 2026