SYDNEY - Australian Legspinner Shane Warne underwent surgery on his injured right shoulder Thursday as his chances of playing in this year's ashes tour remained on a knife-edge. Warne struggled through Australia's recent tours of India and Sharjah with the injury and is expected to miss the tour of Pakistan starting September. England tours Australia under new captain Alec Stewart in a five-test ashes series starting in November and Warne is also considered doubtful for that contest.

Australian coach Geoff Marsh said Warne's plight was serious and it was important for him to recover fully before playing again. (AP)