Leg spin bowler Warne and his wife Simone said last month their nearly 10-year-old marriage was over. The announcement followed the latest in a long line of lurid media reports detailing Warne's infidelities.

"I do take responsibility for Simone and my separation," Warne wrote in today's edition of Sydney tabloid The Daily Telegraph.

And despite the media stories of his extramarital affairs, Warne wrote that the reasons for the separation "will remain private."

Warne, 35, holds the record for most wickets in Test cricket, with 583 wickets in 123 matches. He's well clear of second-place Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka, who has 532 wickets.

He is about to join Australia's Test team as it gears up for the eagerly anticipated Ashes series against England.

Warne wrote that despite his split with Simone, who last week returned to Australia with the couple's three children, "I am very lucky that Simone and I remain such close and good friends."

Warne's article appeared to be an attempt to staunch the flow of media reports about his private life ahead of the ashes and to protect his wife and children.

"To the media, I know I am a target but please don’t make it any tougher on my family than it is already," he wrote.

Looking forward to the Ashes, Warne wrote that England skipper Michael Vaughan's leadership was key to the team's success.

"I think that Michael Vaughan gives them that touch of class and calmness that has been lacking," he wrote.

"He seems to bring out the best in his players and gets them to play above themselves at times which is a sign of a good captain."

The spinner also taunted England selectors for their failure to pick his explosive Hampshire teammate.

"As long as they continue not to pick the most dangerous player, Kevin Pietersen, in their Test lineup, it helps," he wrote.

And in a defiant signoff, Warne said he had not been on a losing ashes team during his illustrious career and did not want to be on one now.

"I have never been on a side that has lost the ashes and I will do everything in my power to keep the record that way," he said.