Warnie says 'Pup' Clarke is his new bunny in 20-20 match

Melbourne, Nov. 22 (ANI): Former Australian leg spinner Shane Warne has nominated Michael Clarke as his 'bunny' for tonight's All Stars Twenty20 match.

As preparations go, Warne has done no bowling, plenty of fitness work and sledged Clarke.

"I've been calling Clarkey 'Daryll' (as in Cullinan).

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He's my new bunny," the Daily Telegraph quoted Warne, as saying.

Clarke will lead an Australian XI at the Gabba tonight against Warne's All Stars, who boast Adam Gilchrist, Matt Hayden and Glenn McGrath.

Also in Warne's side are Victorian batsman Brad Hodge and Redbacks skipper Graham Manou, who made his Test debut on the Ashes tour.

The 40-year-old said he was edgy in the lead-up, fearful the likes of Clarke, David Warner and Cameron White might belt him around the park.

"I'm a bit nervous," Warne said. "I'm really fit at the moment, 88 kilos and training hard, but I don't bowl at all now. I haven't bowled a ball to get ready for this game. I'll bowl a few today (Saturday) to see how they come out and loosen the shoulder up."

Warne's primary cricket role these days is as captain-coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. "I've loved my role in the IPL. I've been able to prepare for, and play, cricket the way I think it should be," he said.

"I'm a big believer in free time, not sitting around endlessly in rooms in meetings the way things were under Buck (John Buchanan) towards the end of my career. No one was happy. That's the way cricket and sport is going. Endless boring meetings."

"In the early days, under AB (Allan Border) and Tubby (Mark Taylor) we'd train and there were some essential team things but no endless meetings and no computers. It was all cricket and we'd talk about it over a beer and while playing golf, not sitting around in rooms for years and years."

"You need these three things to be ready - feel fresh, happy and prepared to play." (ANI)