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Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008

888 signs Shane Warne to play poker

Players may be shippin' it to Shane Warne at several major tournaments this year, including the World Series of Poker.

By Sarah Polson

One of cricket's most prominent players will be taking his game face to a new arena. Shane Warne, from Hampshire Cricket, has signed with 888.com to play poker for the online gambling company.

Warne will serve as 888's Australian poker team captain, a role he should be used to after captaining the cricket club in Hampshire from 2004 to 2007. He is expected to play for 888, which operates Pacific Poker, at the following events:

World Series of Poker
U.K. Poker Open
Poker Nations Cup
Aussie Millions

"Having had a successful sports career, Shane will know all about intensive training and staying focused, which will lead him in good stead whilst playing poker," said 888 in a press release.

The cricket pro can be found online already working on tightening up his game as he trains on 888.com before heading into the live tournament arena.

The online gambling company also indicated that the sponsorship agreement includes participating in other poker tournaments, which it will announce over the coming weeks.

For cricket fans, this will mean seeing less of him at the various events the Hampshire cricket team will be playing at. According to a BBC Sport report, Warne will miss the start of the season because of poker engagements.

Warne also indicated he'll miss Hampshire's Twenty20 Cup campaign in June to play in the 2008 WSOP.

"We are confident he will be back, but we will have to start the season with someone different," Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove told BBC Sport. "I am going to chat with Shane on Feb. 15 and work out a sensible cricket program for both of us."