Shane Warne has hinted that the upcoming Ashes campaign might be his last one for Australia and is keen to extract revenge on the old enemy this summer.
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The 37-year-old leg-spinner, who is due to return home to Melbourne after leading Hampshire in English county cricket, said that age could be the big factor whether he gets to play in another Ashes campaign.
"Some of us are not getting any younger and this may be the last chance to get them back in our playing time," Warne told AFP.
Warne is one of 16 Australian players who are in their 30s but insisted all of the 'older brigade' are itching to take on Andrew Flintoff's youthful England team.
"I am really looking forward to the summer," said Warne. "There should be some great cricket."
"Ever since we lost the Ashes we have all been looking to improve our games and to win them back."
"I know England have had some injury problems with Flintoff, Ashley Giles and Steve Harmison but there are six weeks to the first Test and I am sure they will be fit for that."
With Warne not being a part of the Australian one-day squad to contest the ICC Champions Trophy in India next month, the champion leg-spinner will maintain his form by turning out for his state side.
"I will play three or four games for Victoria early on and then again after the last Test in Sydney, so I will be ticking over," said Warne.
And while this may be his last Ashes campaign, cricket's leading wicket-taker indicated he has no immediate plans to halt his hectic cricketing schedule, saying he will fulfil his 2007 contract with Hampshire.
"My plans are to go back in 2007," he stated. "I thoroughly enjoy playing for Hampshire. We have a lot of young players and I like to think I have helped them and done what I can for the club."
"I treat the players as adults and as professionals in the way I like being treated myself. Everyone knows where they stand with me and I am proud of the way we have performed."
