Cricket: Shane Warne on His Retirement From Test Cricket

An immaculately dressed Shane Warne today ended 24 hours of speculation by confirming the worst-kept secret in cricket: his retirement.

The 37-year-old told a packed press conference that, with the Ashes wrapped up, now was the perfect time to call it a day. "I'd like to go out on top. I want to go out on my terms ... I'd like to think I've earned that right," he said.

The leg spinner revealed he would not be playing in this series at all if Australia had fared better last summer: "I probably would have retired in 2005 had we had won and there was a burning ambition in the team to win the Ashes back," he said. "I saw how much we all hurt after that series and it is my eighth series against England and I've only lost one. It was a mission of mine no matter how long it took to get that urn back, no matter how long it took. I think you can tell by the way we've played this series and the way I've gone out there and bowled that I've been pretty determined."

When he was asked what he thought he had brought to the game, Warne emphasised his role as an entertainer: "As a whole, I think I've made cricket more fun, given people more entertainment," he said. "I don't think I could have written my script any better. I thought I'd be sad, but I sit here a happy man." Warne also said he had fortunate to be surrounded by a team that has reached unparalleled heights in Test cricket: "I don't think I could have asked for my career to go any better. You have your ups and downs, but I have been very lucky to play in an era when Australian cricket was very successful," he admitted. "I sit here today [amid] every single trophy that's available in international cricket ... and I like to think that I've played my part in helping those trophies get into Cricket Australia."

Warne's fellow players were quick to pay tribute to the Victorian's record-breaking career. Sir Richard Hadlee, a former holder of the world record for Test wickets himself, admitted he was in awe of Warne's achievements. "A lot of batsmen in world cricket will be delighted to learn he's leaving the game but I think the game will be poorer without him," Hadlee said. "He has been a match-winner, flamboyant and just incredible to watch. I've admired his skills over a long period of time. Most champions are controversial in one way or another but on the field his skill has been quite remarkable. The leg-spin delivery is the hardest ball to bowl in cricket."

Allan Border, who was Australian captain for Warne's first Test, said he was "in a bit of a state of shock". "There was something special about him, right from the word go," Border said. "He got 1-150 in his first Test, so you wouldn't predict 698 more. But we knew he had something special."

When asked where Warne would rate in the history of the game, Border put him near the top. "Sir Donald Bradman - it's hard to make comparison with that guy's record, but the next level of cricketers, Warne is right there," he said. "He's been a breath of fresh air, what he's brought to the game is immeasurable."

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has grappled with Warne's genius throughout his career and paid tribute to his influence on young cricketers: "As far as the game goes I don't think anyone's done more than what he's done," Fleming said. "He's been a presence. He's introduced young talent to spin bowling. At most coaching camps you go to people are wanting to bowl wrist spin like Shane Warne if they can. That's a massive effect to have."

Mike Gatting, who was bowled by the spinner's "Ball of the Century" in Warne's first Ashes appearance in 1993, said Warne was the world's best leg-spinner: "He'll be hard to replace - not just by Australia but by cricket in general." Another former England captain, Nasser Hussain, said Warne tested every aspect of a batsman's game: "For me, he was the reason you played cricket," said Hussain. "To be a in a Test against him, you knew you were in a battle with Warne, verbally, physically, mentally and technically."