Warne in April 2010

Warne in June 2011

London, June 18: Is that a doosra Shane Warne we see before us?

India is familiar with the Rajasthan Royals captain’s new look but when he appeared in the UK earlier this week for the England-Sri Lanka Test match at the Rose Bowl in Hampshire, some observers thought he looked suspiciously younger.

While that may have been the influence of his girlfriend, Elizabeth Hurley, and especially her creams, others suspect “Warnie has had a secret nip and tuck”.

Cosmetics surgeon Dr Shahab Mahdi, who practises both in Manchester and in his native Karachi, told The Telegraph today that it was “possible” that Warne had benefited from cosmetic surgery.

Mahdi, who was shown photographs of Warne “before and after”, did qualify his remarks by admitting that “flash photography can smooth out wrinkles” but he was giving an opinion after analysing telltale signs in the former cricketer’s chin and jaw-line.

Told that Warne had denied having his looks enhanced by surgery, Mahdi responded tartly: “Well, he would, wouldn’t he!”

Warne, who has now retired from all forms of cricket, went on Twitter first to praise the Rose Bowl, which he felt was certainly looking a lot better: “Spent 8 seasons involved here at Hampshire — 2nd home.... Feel proud to see rose bowl looking so good.. 1st of many test matches hopefully!”

In theory, there is no reason for Warne to deny he has had surgery to improve his looks since in the past he had advertised the clinic he had turned to for hair restoration. Graham Gooch, Michael Vaughan, Ricky Pointing and Virender Sehwag are among cricketers who have similarly been open about how they have sought treatment for hair loss.

Warne, 41, may feel under increasing pressure to match Hurley, 46 — who obtained a “quickie divorce” last week from Arun Nayar — in the glamour stakes.

But on Twitter, Warne said: “English people who asked Botox questions — thanks for compliment but no have not had Botox or anything done to my face — lost 9kg and feel great.”

The Daily Mail, which is not convinced by Warne’s explanation, reported today: “He insists his makeover is down to borrowing his girlfriend’s beauty creams — but a top plastic surgeon (Shahab Mahdi) believes Shane Warne has opted for surgery. The cricket legend has undergone a dramatic transformation, with significant weight loss and a dramatically preened appearance.”

The Daily Star quoted Mahdi: “The difference in Shane’s appearance is dramatic. In my opinion it looks as though he has had a facelift.”

According to the Star, Warne “appeared on TV looking slim and manicured. He sported bright white teeth, smooth skin, perfect nails and plucked eyebrows. Shane denied he has had a facelift and Botox, claiming he is just training hard and using beauty creams plugged by Liz. But fans were unconvinced, with one joking on Twitter: ‘He looks like a waxwork, all plucked and sculptured’.’’

But an insight into why celebrities seek cosmetic surgery was provided by Mahdi, who typically spends 20 days in the month in Manchester and 10 in Pakistan.

Looks are important for sports people coming to the end of their careers and seeking a new direction in business, PR or television. “It buys them extra years,” Mahdi told this newspaper. “Someone who is 60 may look 50; someone who is 70 may look 65 or 60. It can buy you 10 years.”

With cricketers, Mahdi said, the problem was that years spent outdoors in all weather conditions --– “it is hot in Australia and in India” --– took their toll. Mahdi was not being dogmatic that Warne had benefited from cosmetic surgery — photographs can be deceptive or even manipulated but an experienced surgeon looks for more solid evidence.

It seems that previously, Warne had more of a double chin and a bulge associated with his jowl and jaw-line. Mahdi said: “I tell my patients that if people say: ‘Tell me the name of your surgeon’, something has gone wrong.”