Shane Warne

A rather handsome open face, blond hair, a large frame, slow lazy smile and a short run up, and then comes the discovery, this man is impossible to play! Shane Warne, one of the greatest leg spin bowlers of all time, with a record of seven hundred and eight wickets to his credit, rated by Widsen as one of the five best cricketers of the 20th century, is the master of them all.

Shane Keith Warne retired from international cricket in 2007, after helping hand over the coveted Ashes back to Australia. When he announced his retirement, you wondered why. At the age of 36, he could be considered well past it by sporting standards, but just look at him bowl, it is sheer poetry. In the 2006/7 Ashes he took 23 wickets over five test matches, and then said his goodbye. Shane Warne’s retirement is an end of era, an unforgettable vision of cricketing excellence and drama. Those who have witnessed it are truly lucky.

He began his test career rather inauspiciously, with miserable figures of 1/150 against India. In fact, in this first test series his figures were a poor showing of 1/228 – no reflection of the greatness that was to come. Things changed against Sri Lanka in Colombo, the second innings, when he ended up demolishing the opponent taking 3 wickets for 11 runs. Shane Warne became an integral part of the team after the 1992/93 series against West Indies, after he took an amazing 7 wickets for 52 runs.

Shane Warne came with his subtle art into cricket, in the era of the ferocious fast bowlers. The West Indian’s Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall, the Pakistani wizard Imran Khan, and with the Australian duo of Dennis Lillie and Jeff Thomson had dominated the field until the early 1990’s. It seemed that spin bowling, and especially his art of leg breaks was over. However, he broke new grounds; suddenly he was the tormenter dominating over English and South African batsmen. One of his most memorable balls, also called the “Ball of Century” against English batsman Mike Gatting on that historical day 4 June 1993, in the first test match, of the 1993 Ashes series, spoke of things to come. It first turned sharply towards Gatting, then suddenly deviated away from him on bouncing. Such was the angle of deviation that the batsman taken completely by surprise; was bowled out! Later on, Shane Warne was to dominate the series with his astonishing prowess. He seemed to extract the most from what could be termed as unhelpful pitches that is what marked him out as bowler extraordinaire.

Like any other player, he too has seen his nightmares, Sachin Tendulkar, being one of them. The series, in India, the year 1998, saw this legendry spin bowler at his worst. Here is he had a poor average of 47.18 runs per wicket. Indian batsmen led by the master blaster, Tendulakar repeatedly savaged him in the years to come.

Of course, you can never keep a player like Shane Warne down, and he went on towards greater heights, once he recovered from this rather forgettable series.

He broke record-after-record over the last few years, in spite of being banned for a while. One of his best outings has been in the recent Ashes series, the last one he would play, actually goes down in history, as the story of an amazing leg spinner helping his country turnaround the matches. In the first match, he demolished England in the second innings with awesome figures of 4-49, literally swinging the match in favor of Australia. In second test match, he took five victims. On December 26th, a day after Christmas, he celebrated his 700 wickets in Tests bowling by getting Andrew Strauss out on the first day of the fourth Test. His figures for the first innings read 5-39, making you wonder if this man should ever retire. He then took his thousand wicket in international cricket with Monty Panesar in the last test match in Sydney- this signaled the end of era, the end of Warne’s leg spinning magic. His test figures stand at 708 wickets with an average of 25.41. Shane Warne’s ODI records are equally impressive. He has taken 293 wickets, with an average of 25.73.

Shane Warne has an extraordinary batting record too! He has scored a total of 3154 runs, without even one century, and he is third on the list for scoring the highest number of ducks. His highest score is 99.

Controversy has dogged the man. The most damning was testing positive for an illegal substance in the World Cup of 2003. It is felt that he took this to overcome a shoulder injury, nagging him for a while. This resulted in him being banned for over two years.

He has been in the center of a controversy involving bookies, unsavory sex scandals, and marital conflict. Yet, his cricketing excellence has always held him in stead.

Shane Warne has lived a life that many envy, but very few can emulate.

Cricket: Collingwood Believes Warne Can Lift England
Despite being ridiculed by Shane Warne, Paul Collingwood believes the Australian should be given a coaching role with England.

Cricket: Panesar Picks Warne's Brain About the Art of Spin-bowling
Shane Warne offered fellow spinner Monty Panesar some bowling advice after last week's fifth Test, and hasn't ruled out helping England's bowlers further.

Cricket: Warne Open to England Possibility
After helping Australia to an Ashes whitewash, Shane Warne says he would consider switching his allegiances to England.

Cricket: Warne Decimates England
The Ashes: Shane Warne made Andrew Strauss his 700th victim as Australia dominated once again on day one of the fourth Test.

Over and Out
Cricket: Leader: The approach of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne will remain seared into the memories of every cricketer who faced them and every fan who watched.

The Ashes: Could Warne Soon Be Playing for the Enemy?
Cricket: After announcing his retirement could Shane Warne be next in line to coach England? Kevin Mitchell investigates.

The Ashes: Vic Marks on the End of an Era
Cricket: After a combined career that has enjoyed 963 wickets in 102 Tests, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath will call it a day after the Ashes.

Warne Retires Now Ashes Are Safe
Cricket: Having won back the Ashes, Shane Warne - who announced his retirement yesterday - says he's finally happy to give up cricket.

Cricket: Shane Warne on His Retirement From Test Cricket
Shane Warne has said that, with the Ashes wrapped up, now is the perfect time to bow out of Test cricket.

Wrong 'un Warne Calls Time
Cricket: Shane Warne's career against England began with "that ball" to Mike Gatting and will end 700 and a few wickets later. By Mike Selvey

Cricket: Warne Poised for International Retirement
Australian broadcaster Channel Nine has claimed that Shane Warne will retire from international cricket tomorrow.

The Ashes: Gilchrist's 'view From Behind' on the Wonder of Warne
Cricket: Australia's wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist on the pleasure of keeping to Shane Warne. By Richard Williams

Cricket: Warne Strikes Back in Pietersen Tussle
Shane Warne took revenge for Kevin Pietersen's swashbuckling first innings knock by removing the batsman for just two runs. By Richard Williams

Warne Inspirational As Australia Win the Second Test
Cricket: The Ashes: Australia conjure a stunning six-wicket victory that leaves them two-nil up in the series. By Vic Marks

The Ashes: Shane Warne Brands Ian Bell 'the Shermanator'
Cricket: Ian Bell branded 'The Shermanator' - a reference to a red-haired geeky character in American Pie, while Paul Collingwood told: "You're no good."

Pietersen and Warne Will Decide Series
Cricket: The rivalry between old friends Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen may come to define this Ashes series, writes Richard Williams.

Please Play Giles and Jones, Says Smirking Warne
Cricket: Shane Warne has started the sledging early by calling Geraint Jones and Ashley Giles "Fletcher's favourites".

Warne Wise to Rely on Jenner
Cricket: He'll need his old mate Terry Jenner to give him his MOT first, but then expect Shane Warne to break through the 700-Test-wickets-barrier, says Mike Selvey.

Cricket: Warne Injury Blow
Shane Warne received an unwanted birthday present yesterday: a bouncer right between the eyes.

Cricket: Warne Adds to Durham's Pain
County Championship: Durham will have to endure relegation jitters after a woeful batting performance against Hampshire.

Cricket: Warne Tips Rivals for the Title
Sussex coach Mark Robinson hit back at comments from Shane Warne that Lancashire were the most likely to win the title.

Cricket: Warne Nearly Pulls Off Unconventional Win
Division one: Shane Warne is the fiercest of competitors, but even he couldn't force a Hampshire win.

Cricket: Warne Leaves the Door Ajar
Division one: Just when you think you've worked Shane Warne out, he declares 20 runs behind while murdering the bowling. These Aussies are mad.

Cricket: Warne Bids to Contain Shah
Division one: Shane Warne's combative nature showed itself as he tried every trick to dislodge Middlesex as Owais Shah regained a little of his winter form.

Cricket: Hampshire Face Loss of Warne
First division: Hampshire's title hopes were dealt a blow with the news that Shane Warne will miss two of their remaining five matches after their draw with Kent.

Cricket: Warne Makes History Again
C&G Trophy: Shane Warne recorded his first ever six-wicket haul in one-day cricket to give his side a comfortable victory over Surrey.

Cricket: Hampshire's Second Win on Warne's Return
A crushing 193-run victory for Hampshire saw three wickets for Chris Tremlett, and left Warwickshire anticipating the debut of Daniel Vettorri.

Cricket: Warne Turns the Screws With Ball and Captaincy
Hampshitre enjoyed a thrash as Warne declined to enforce the follow-on after he continued his wicket-taking start to the season.

Cricket: Warne Targets Injury-prone England
Fresh from this weekend's tabloid revelations about his private life, Shane Warne says the Ashes will go to the fitter side.

Cricket: Warne Takes Seven As Hampshire Rout Middlesex
Hampshire's captain proves that they are a better side with him as Middlesex are brushed aside.

Cricket: Warne Traps His Prince to Become King
Shane Warne broke Dennis Lillee's 1981 record for Test wickets taken in a year as he dragged Australia back into contention against South Africa.

Cricket: Udal Puts His Indian Summer Down to the Genius of Warne
Shaun Udal travels to Pakistan as an England player and he owes it to the greatest bowler of his generation - Shane Warne.

Cricket: How Warne Halted Udal's Wane
Shaun Udal tells Jon Henderson how Shane Warne helped him to refine his game and revive a flagging career.

Cricket: Warne Pleads for Privacy to Rebuild Life
Shane Warne yesterday made a heartfelt plea to the Australian media to respect his privacy and stop hounding him when he returned after his season in England.

Cricket: Warne's Endless Summer
Kevin Mitchell reflects on the career and extraordinary talents of Australian spin-bowler Shane Warne.

Udal Thanks Warne After Call-up
Cricket: Shaun Udal has given thanks to his county colleague Shane Warne for his England call-up.

Warne Gives Aussies the Edge
Cricket: The Ashes Shane Warne took five wickets as England collapsed to 319-7 at the close of an intriguing first day of the final Test.

England Fight Back After Warne Applies the Squeeze
Cricket: Tea report: Shane Warne has taken four wickets, but steady batting from Andrew Strauss and Freddie Flintoff took England to 213-4.

Warne Treble Rocks England
Cricket: In their pre-match team talk last night, England's dream scenario would have gone something like this: win the toss, bat first on a flat deck, see off a rusty Glenn McGrath, tuck in to Brett Lee and Shaun Tait, score at four an over. Simple. All their wishes came true in the first hour at The Oval - and then Shane Warne lumbered into the fray like the ultimate pantomime villain.

Warne Keep Vaughan's Men Waiting
Cricket: Rain limited play to just a handful of overs, but Shane Warne continued his defiant innings to reach 78 not out at close of play.

The Ashes: Fresh Spin on History As New Magician Cons Gatt
Cricket: Attempting to reproduce Shane Warne's "ball of the century", bowling machine Merlyn jammed after five balls.

The Ashes: 'i Felt Pretty Proud But It Was a Shame I Couldn't Get 603'
Cricket: England's dominance took a little lustre off Shane Warne's record-breaking 600th Test wicket, says Lawrence Booth.

Vaughan Dominates After Warne Landmark
Cricket: Marcus Trescothick became Shane Warne's 600th Test victim, but England dominated the first day.

Warne Claims 600th Test Wicket
Cricket: Marcus Trescothick became Shane Warne's 600th Test victim, but England reached 195-2 at tea.

Warne Pays Tribute to a 'fantastic, Good Guy'
Cricket: Shane Warne has paid tribute to the play of Andrew Flintoff, who in spite of initial fears of an arm injury should be fine for the next Test.

Warne Still a Star Turn on Anyone's Turf
Cricket: Shane Warne is bowling better than ever, argues Jon Henderson, in spite of the fact that he is approaching his 600th Test wicket.

Warne waxes as England wane
Cricket: No one has taken more Test wickets - or late-night phone calls. Shane 'Hollywood' Warne is simultaneously a genius and an idiot, as much a victim as a creation of the cult of celebrity, a man of his times.

The Ashes: Vintage Pair Bowl Over England
Cricket: Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have so far made the most of the 2005 Ashes, which is the opportunity for the last big performances of their careers, writes Richard Williams.

Simon Hattenstone Meets Shane Warne
Cricket: Shane Warne, a cricketer whose genius could not be denied by drugs bans or tabloid scandals.

Cricket: Warne Keeps Hampshire in the Hunt
The Aussie spinner returned from holiday in Spain with a 33-ball 50.

Cricket: Warne in Hot Water After Clashes With Umpire
Shane Warne could face penalty points after a spat with Hampshire bowler Billy Taylor as Surrey ended 326-8.

The Ashes: Warne Counters Declaration of Waugh
Cricket: Shane Warne yesterday rebuked his former Australia team-mate Mark Waugh for claiming that the leg-spinner was past his best.

Cricket: Warne Delves Into Book of the Unorthodox
Shane Warne's decision to play Shaun Udal as a second spinner backfired as Nottinghamshire piled up a double ton.

Cricket: Warne Makes 100 in 15 Years and 72 Balls
After a fifteen-year wait, Shane Warne has finally secured a first-class hundred - in only 72 balls.

Cricket: Warne Ready to Call It a Day
Shane Warne is likely to quit Test cricket only after the 2006-07 Ashes in Australia, by which he could have as many as 700 Test wickets.

Cricket: Tremlett Lives Up to Warne's Example
Sussex were cruising at 234 for three when a moment of magic from Shane Warne turned the day.

Cricket: Warne Puts Breaks on Gloucs
Hampshire captain Shane Warne made a telling contribution with bat and ball to leave his team's match with Gloucestershire in the balance.

Cricket: Warne Extends Contract at Hampshire
Shane Warne has signed a two-year contract with Hampshire with the option of a two-year extension, though he will miss most of this season because of the Ashes.

Cricket: Warne to Stay for Two More Years
Hampshire are on the verge of signing Aussie leg spinner Shane Warne for two more seasons as their skipper.

Fourth Test, India v Australia: Hauritz Fills the Boots of Warne
Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, replacing injured Shane Warne on his debut, grabbed three wickets on day two in Mumbai.

Shane Warne to Miss Fourth Test
A broken right thumb has sidelined Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne from the fourth Test versus India in Mumbai.

Warne Out With Hand Injury
Cricket: Shane Warne will miss the fourth and final Test against India after breaking his thumb while batting in the nets.

Cricket: Warne's Glory But India's Day
Shane Warne became the leading wicket-taker of all time, but it was Virender Sehwag's 155 that gave India the edge.

Cricket: Warne Sizes Up County Return
If Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove has his way, Shane Warne will be tormenting English batsmen for many more years.

County Championship, Division Two: Warne May Face Warning After Spat
No play at Taunton until 4:30pm. Time enough for Shane Warne to get into a barney with Somerset's elder statesman Pete Bowler.

Warne Equals World Record
This could become a regular story: Shane Warne has equalled Murali's world record of 527 Test wickets, but Sri Lanka held on for a draw.

Cricket: Derbyshire Survive Warne Scare
May 11: Shane Warne flies into the unknown perils of Zimbabwe today having transformed the not inconsiderable problems at Hampshire in three weeks.

'Let's Enjoy Warne in His Indian Summer in England'
John Rawling: Shane Warne's arrival at Hampshire makes it worth paying good money to watch at least a little of the county game this summer.

Cricket: Sri Lanka v Australia: Warne Hits 500 Wickets in Style
Shane Warne became the first spin bowler to take 500 Test wickets and provided a fairytale aspect to an awesome Australian victory.

Warne Hits 500 Mark As Aussies Win
Shane Warne today etched his name in the history books as only the second bowler to claim 500 Test wickets as Australia romped to 197-run victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The Australian leg-spinner, in his first Test back since serving a one-year ban following a...

Cricket: Warne and Muralitharan Square Up in the Dash to 500
Warne and Muralitharan may find a mutual accomplice in the groundsman as they go head to head and hell for leather to be first to take 500 Test wickets.

Cricket: The Star Turn is Back With a New Spin on Life
March 6: Shane Warne is heralding his return to international cricket with a salvo of homespun philosophy.

Warne Eager to Start Anew
Shane Warne rejoins a Test attack recently beset by doubts. Can he restore his side's invincibility?

Warne Comeback Ends in Defeat
Despite taking five wickets, Shane Warne's first outing after a 12-month drugs ban has ended in defeat against Queensland.

Cricket: Warne and Caddick Prepare for Comebacks
February 6: Shane Warne has been privately hiring cricket grounds to practise on with a few pals.

Twin Boost for Australia
Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath are on the way back. Warne will return from his one-year drug ban in a second team game for Victoria starting on Tuesday week, and McGrath hopes to start his comeback from ankle surgery the previous day in Tasmania. Both are hoping to prove their fitness...

Cricket: Hants Want Last of Warne
January 16: Hampshire are pressing to give Shane Warne a long-term contract that will take him into retirement after his one-year drugs ban.

Phone Manner Raises Questions
Shane Warne needs a friend. And maybe he should put his mobile phone away for a while, says Kevin Mitchell.

Warne's Spin Denounced
February 27: A leading Melbourne sports lawyer has criticised the Australian Cricket Board for its reasoning in imposing only a one-year ban on Shane Warne for taking the banned diuretic Moduretic.

Warne Not to Appeal Over Acb Ban
Shane Warne has decided not to appeal against his 12-month ban from cricket, insisting today that "enough is enough". The 33-year-old had originally intended challenging the penalty imposed by the Australian Cricket Board's anti-doping tribunal on Saturday for taking a banned diuretic...

Warne Took Tablets Before 'to Lose His Double Chin'
Shane Warne admitted that he took banned drugs - which ultimately got him banned from cricket - to "get rid of a double chin".

Hampshire to keep captain's job open for Warne
At least one employer will be standing by Shane Warne, should he wish to resume his career in county cricket at the end of his one-year ban from the sport. Hampshire, whom he was due to captain this summer, still want him to return next year. 'We have got to give the members some glamour, some celebrity,' said chairman Rod Bransgrove.

Warne's full statement
The full text of Shane Warne's statement after being handed a 12-month suspension from cricket by the Australian Cricket Board reads:

Hampshire rue Warne ban
Hampshire were today forced to begin planning an immediate future without Shane Warne, following confirmation of the leg-spinner's drugs ban.

Waugh: Warne must fight back
Australia's Test captain Steve Waugh challenged Shane Warne to prove his hunger for international cricket after the spinner landed a one-year drugs ban.

Warne's ban: what it means
The Australian Cricket Board has suspended Shane Warne from all cricket for 12 months. Under the ban, Warne is not only excluded from playing for Australia, but he can also not represent his district side St Kilda, State team Victoria or play in the English County Championship with Hampshire.

Warne Hit With Year Ban
Shane Warne has been banned from cricket for 12 months after the Australian Cricket Board's anti-doping committee found him guilty of using a masking agent. The ban from cricket was reduced from the recommended two years after the ACB was told the substance he took could have done...

Warne Faces Two Year Ban
February 20: Shane Warne could be banned from all forms of cricket for up to two years after the B-test results allegedly confirmed his positive dope test.

Weary Warne Ready to Face Music
February 13: Shane Warne arrived back at Melbourne's Tullamarine airport to face the tribunal which has his career in its hands.

Shane Warne's dopey behaviour and Eriksson's confetti caps
That was the headline in today's outraged Sydney Morning Herald, and if it's good enough for them, it's certainly good enough for us. Not least because it serves as a neat introduction of today's hot topic.

The Tarnishing of a Modern Legend
February 12: If the results of his tests are correct, Shane Warne has joined the list of sports heroes who have stained their reputations by taking drugs.

Mik Selvey: Warne's Dubious Explanation
February 12: Shane Warne may have tried to explain away his indiscretion as an unwitting breach of the drug codes but isn't there a smell of rodent about all this?

Warne Was Warned By Icc
February 12: Shane Warne had ample warning of the increasingly rigorous anti-drug culture in cricket that led to his departure from Australia's World Cup squad

Warne Faces Disgrace
February 12: Shane Warne has fled from the World Cup in South Africa after a positive drug test that threatens to bring an inglorious end to his career.

Pundits come out in support of Warne
Cricket's great, good and average are lining up to lend support to Shane Warne, as the leg spinner prepares to fly home from the Cricket World Cup after testing positive for a diuretic.

Shane Warne factbox
Born in the outer Melbourne suburb of Ferntree Gully and grew up dreaming of a career as an Australian Rules footballer for St Kilda.

Warne Sent Home After Drug Test
Shane Warne has been sent home from the World Cup after failing a drug test. The Australian Cricket Board announced this morning that the spinner had asked to go home after testing positive for diuretics. But a stony-faced Warne denied any wrong-doing, claiming: "I took a fluid...

Warne Sent Home After Failing Drugs Test
Shane Warne has been sent home from the World Cup after failing a drugs test, the Australian Cricket Board confirmed at a Johannesburg press conference this morning. ACB chief executive officer James Sutherland revealed that leg spinner Warne had tested positive for a diuretic - a drug...

Warne Confident of a Rapid Return
Shane Warne believes he will regain top form in next month's World Cup despite returning only recently from a month on the sidelines with a shoulder injury. "With each game I play I'm going to get better and better and more confident. I'm starting to get there. I'm not far away," the...

Nervous Warne happy to be back
Shane Warne, who announced his retirement from one-day international cricket yesterday, was delighted to sign off in style at the SCG.

Warne Quits One-day Game to Go for Record
January 23: Shane Warne plans to retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup, but still wants to become the most prolific wicket-taker in Test history.

Warne to Retire From One-dayers
Shane Warne has decided to quit playing one-day cricket after the World Cup, before injury and the national selectors decide for him.

Warne puts positive spin on his recovery
Shane Warne took a big step in his bid to recover full fitness in time for the World Cup yesterday, bowling for the first time since surgery on an injured shoulder.

Warne Should Make World Cup
A "relieved" Shane Warne is expected to recover in time for next year's World Cup after surgeons operated on his dislocated shoulder. There had been fears that the Australian spinner's career was over. The Australian Cricket Board's medical officer, Dr Trefor James, told a news...

Warne routs Pakistan
Test cricket: It's getting hot in here. Pakistan have done wonders for Australia and Shane Warne's confidence, slumping to a second succesive lowest-ever Test score.

Warne leaves Pakistan stranded in the desert
Cricket: Shane Warne was sublime (and sweaty) in temperatures that were not much lower than staggeringly inept Pakistan's worst ever Test score: 59 all out.

Warne weighs in with 11 warnings for Ashes
Cricket: Shane Warne's 11 for 188 was central to Australia's survival against a spirited Pakistan recovery in a thrilling Test match.

Warne in Line for Hampshire Return
July 6: Shane Warne, the world's most famous bowler, is likely to return to county cricket with Hampshire next year, according to the club's director of cricket Tim Tremlett.