Melbourne: Shane Warne will know by next month what he is allowed to do in cricket during his year-long doping ban. But Victoria coach David Hookes would like him to at least visit the state team's dressing room some time this week. Hookes again called for the state captain to be able to train with his teammates so Warne can be ready to play once his ban ends on February 10 next year. The Australian Cricket Board's (ACB) legal department is working on the parameters of Warne's ban, while its cricket operations manager Michael Brown will soon speak to Hookes about the issue. "I think it would be very unfair if he's not allowed to practise cricket," Hookes said. "I concede his playing ban ends on February 10, but surely he should be ready to play on February 11. "I'm not sure if he can or not, but that's certainly one thing we would fight on his behalf. I don't think anybody anywhere, even Dick Pound, would say he shouldn't be allowed to at least play on the 11th." Pound, the World Anti-Doping Agency chairman, has been scathing of Warne during the doping controversy that led to the leg spinner's ban. An ACB anti-doping committee suspended Warne late last month after he tested positive to banned diuretics. ACB public affairs manager Peter Young said apart from working out the details of the suspension, the board was also keen to help make sure Warne was ready to play once his ban ended. "What we're trying to do is we're seeking to understand what he can and can't do - obviously he can't play," Young said. "We also want to help work out a plan that will have him in peak condition and form once he returns to cricket. "Michael Brown is consulting with stakeholders in this and he's due to speak to David Hookes." Once the ACB lawyers finish their document, it will be signed off as policy. Young said this would probably not happen until next month. Hookes said he was hopeful Warne would attend this week's Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia and also talk to his state teammates. "My understanding is Warney will come down during the game at some stage, just to stay away from the media people and sneak in the back door," Hookes said. "I'd love to see him during the game - his great strength, Warney, is also his dressing room presence, because he understands the game. He's a big calming influence in the change room at the right time." Hookes said Warne needed to bowl to national-quality batsmen during his ban. "There's no point saying to Warne, go to some club ground and bowl against yourself, he needs to bowl against batsmen of quality," he said. Copyright AFP 2001

Tags: cricket, shane warne, victoria coach david hookes, australian cricket board, acb, dick pound chairman of world anti-doping agency, acb public affairs manager peter young, michael brown, david hookes.