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Shane Warne made an underwhelming comeback to cricket as his team Melbourne Stars lost their opening match in Australia's Big Bash League.

The leg-spin legend conceded 19 runs in two wicketless overs and did not bat.

He was smashed for two sixes by Australia opener David Warner, who struck 102 not out off 51 balls to lead Sydney Thunder to a six-wicket win.

"Didn't go to plan for us tonight, but hey, it's only the first game," . "We will bounce back."

Warne, 42, was only given the all-clear to play in the match on Friday having burnt his bowling hand while cooking earlier in the week - he later posted on Twitter.

His fiancee Elizabeth Hurley, the British actress, tossed the coin at Saturday's game at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

It was the first time Warne has played at the iconic MCG since he quit the international game after helping Australia to a 5-0 Ashes series victory over England in 2006/07.

He took 708 wickets in 145 Tests during a 15-year career for Australia, a tally bettered only by Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan.

Warne continued to play Twenty20 cricket but retired in May after leading Rajasthan Royals in the first four seasons of the Indian Premier League.

However, he decided to return with the Stars, one of two Melbourne franchises in Australia's revamped T20 competition.