Shane Warne has shoulder operation

Shane Warne, the most successful spin bowler in the history of Test cricket, has undergone surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to be out of competitive cricket for between six months and a year.

Warne has been experiencing discomfort with his shoulder for approximately two years and he aggravated it during a one-day match against Zimbabwe in India last month when he fell on it whilst fielding. Despite reports in the past few days that his shoulder problem was not likely to sideline him for long, doctors discovered that the condition was worse than anticipated. Warne was admitted to hospital in Melbourne for exploratory surgery on Wednesday night, where it was revealed that he was suffering from torn cartilege and ligaments, requiring a reconstruction of his shoulder immediately. He was released from hospital on Thursday afternoon.

Doctors have indicated that his rehabilitation could take between six and twelve months. It appears certain that he will miss the inaugural Commonwealth Games cricket tournament in Kuala Lumpur in September, the three-Test tour to Pakistan and the ICC Knockout in Bangladesh in October. His absence from Australia's team to defend the Ashes in November-December appears likely, as well as from the tour to the West Indies in early 1999. Warne was also listed to appear in the MCC v Rest of the World charity match at Lord's in July - his place in that match is likely to be taken by Anil Kumble.

Warne, who has taken 313 wickets in 67 Tests and 150 wickets in 96 one-day internationals, will be giving a press conference on Friday in Melbourne to discuss his immediate playing future.

Report prepared for CricInfo by Rick Eyre (rick@cricinfo.com)