Record-breaking bowler and Aussie legend Shame Warne has swapped the cricket pitch for the poker table, after his appointment as captain of the 888.com Australian Poker Team.

He will skipper his country in numerous events throughout the year, including the New Zealand Poker Champs, the 2008 World Series of Poker, the United Kingdom Poker Open, and the Poker Nations Cup.

In addition Warne will play in the 2008 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, a decision which has raised eyebrows in the sporting world as it means he will be unavailable for cricketing commitments with his English county Hampshire.