Warne seeks food for thought

Warne, who was criticised last year for being overweight, has been eating only sparse helpings of cereal and toast while on the tour, and taking multi-vitamin capsules to supplement his diet, according to Australian newspaper reports.

“I am really craving for some canned spaghetti on toast,” Warne told Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph today.

The portly bowler has lost several kilograms in weight since arriving in India, where he has lived on a diet of breakfast cereal and vegemite sandwiches, the Australian media said. Vegemite is a type of sandwich spread.

“Baked beans andspaghetti that’s what Shane wants,” an ACB spokesman said in Sydney.

On hearing of Warne’s appeal, food processing company Heinz said it would immediately send nearly 2,000 cans of baked beans and spaghetti to Australia’s Test squad in India. “The shipment will be enough for the whole team and it will be leaving Australia tomorrow morning,” a company spokesman said.

Local newspapers have now dubbed Warne “Mr Bean” and have called the emergency food airlift “Operation bean”.

Arrangements had been made for the Australian consul general in New Delhi to send cans of baked beans and spaghetti to Chennai, said a board spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Tour officials are concerned Warne may lose strength and stamina because of his weight loss.

Alan Crompton, former ACB chairman, said today Warne should consider broadening his diet from well-known favourites such as spaghetti bolognaise, lasagna and pizza.

But he said he did not think Indians would be miffed at Warne’s avoidance ofits cuisine. “I don’t think it’s an insult and I don’t think that the Indians would ever take it that way.”

Coach Geoff Marsh reportedly said the Australian team is generally coping well with Indian food although “they’d still love to have their mum’s roast chicken and vegetables followed by apple pie and cream.”