Going for the doctor of spin

Shane Warne has been awarded an honorary PhD by Southampton Solent University. According to the university's website

The accolade was conferred at The Rose Bowl in Hampshire in a twist on the traditional university graduation ceremony. A procession of university high officers, made their way to the boundary rope in front of the pavilion. Warne, the scourge of England’s batsmen in successive Ashes Test Series, received his degree scroll wearing customary academic dress.

The Pro-Chancellor who officiated at the ceremony said

As arguably the greatest bowler who has ever lived, Shane Warne is highly deserving of this honorary doctorate. His sporting success is an inspiration to all, and is particularly close to our own hearts given the university’s commitment to sporting achievement. We felt it was only fitting to break with tradition and confer this degree at the Rose Bowl, the home of Hampshire cricket, in recognition of the huge contribution he has made not only to international cricket but to the success and popularity of cricket in the Hampshire region.

Unfortunately the new doctor soon afterwards, as The Times reported, required the services of a medical doctor to attend to an injury sustained on the paying field.

Dr Warne has also been in the news recently for allegedly disturbing the harmony of the Australian team.

Perhaps the last word for the moment should be Geoff Boycott's advice to him:

Australia are the favourites this winter. I really think they will win unless the injury tally evens itself up. They are fit and fresh and well-rested. Some people say Shane Warne is creaking, but I say he took 40 wickets in last summer's series. Richie Benaud reckons Warne will be back for the 2009 Ashes and the only thing that makes me think otherwise is that Warney's life is full of escapades. If he slept with his bat, like I used to, he could probably manage another five years.