Western Australia v Victoria, Sheffield Shield

PERTH, Australia, Nov 13 (AFP) - Shane Warne's comeback to first-class cricket was delayed here Friday when rain washed out the opening day of the four-day Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Victoria.

The 29-year-old Australian spinner has waited six months to roll his famous right arm again in a major game after having major surgery on his shoulder in May.

Warne, who has captured 313 Tests wickets -- more than any other spin bowler in history -- has ruled out any chance of playing in the first two Tests against England.

But he has hopes of being fit for the third Test starting in Adelaide on December 11 or the fourth Test in Melbourne from December 26.

Day 2: Warne takes a hammering in comeback

PERTH, Australia, Nov 14 (AFP) - Australia's star leg-spinner Shane Warne took a hammering and no wickets in his first-class comeback with Victoria here Saturday.

In his first senior appearance for more than six months after major shoulder surgery, a Sheffield Shield match, Warne sent down 10 overs for 46 runs without troubling the Western Australian batsmen.

In his fifth over, Warne was smacked for six by Australian one-day wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who lofted the ball straight back over the bowler's head.

Warne, 29, has said he will probably miss the first two Tests against England. The Ashes series starts in in Brisbane next Friday.

But he believes he may have a hope of returning for the third Test in Adelaide from December 11 or the fourth match in Melbourne from December 26.

Warne, statistically the greatest spin bowler in history, has taken 313 Test wickets at an average of 24.77 in 67 Tests.

Western Australia's 23-year-old left-hander Simon Katich hammered an unbeaten 120 - his third century in as many first-class games this season - as his side recovered from a traumatic 33-4 to reach 319 for nine declared in their first innings.

Victoria, the Shield Shield leaders, replied were on 27-1 at the close, having lost left-handed opener Matthew Elliott for six.

Day 3: Saker lifts Victoria's hopes

PERTH, Australia, Nov 15 (AFP) - Fiery fast bowler David Saker revived Victoria's hopes of forcing an outright victory when he seized three prize wickets late on the third day of the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia here Sunday.

Saker removed accomplished opening pair Ryan Campbell and Mike Hussey and Test number three Justin Langer as Western Australia, leading by 65 on the first innings, skidded to 53-3 in the second, holding an overall lead of 118 with a seven-hour day remaining.

Victoria lead the Shield ladder with 12 points from wins in their first two matches and will establish a huge early advantage in the competition if they can topple Western Australia, the reigning Shield champions.

Victoria declared with 254-9 in their first innings after opener Jason Arnberger had crawled to 97 in a laborious six hours.