Shane Warne

Shane Warne

Warne in 2015

Source: [1], 3 March 2007

Shane Keith Warne (born 13 September 1969 in Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria), is an Australian cricketer and the current captain of Hampshire. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history. In 2000, he was selected by a panel of cricket experts as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century.

Warne retired from international cricket in January 2007, following Australia's 5-0 Ashes series victory over England. Two other players integral to the Australian team of recent years, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer, also retired from Tests on the same day which led some, including the Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, to declare it the end of an era. Warne is contracted to play for Hampshire until the end of 2008.

Despite being plagued by scandals off the field throughout his playing career, Warne has — since October 2004 — held the record for the most wickets taken by any bowler in Test cricket. He was the first bowler to take 700 Test wickets, and he retired with 708 Test wickets. He also achieved the milestone of 1000 international wickets (combined total from tests and One-Day Internationals): he was the second bowler to reach this milestone after Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan. That he is third on the all time list for Test ducks belies his batting ability, as he scored over 3000 Test runs, and he holds the record for most Test runs without a century.

Career

Shane Warne's Test career batting performance.

Warne made his first-class cricket debut on 15 February 1991, taking 0/61 and 1/41 for Victoria against Western Australia at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. He was then selected for the Australia B team which toured Zimbabwe in September 1991. His best performance was 7/52 in a four-day match. Upon returning to Australia, Warne took 3/14 and 4/42 for Australia A against the West Indies in December 1991. The incumbent spinner in the Australian Test Team, Peter Taylor, had taken only one wicket in the first two tests, so Warne was brought into the team for the Third Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground a week later.

He had an undistinguished Test debut, taking 1/150 (Ravi Shastri caught by Dean Jones for 206) off 45 overs, and recorded figures of 1/228 in his first Test series. His poor return continued in the first innings against Sri Lanka at Colombo in the next year, in which he recorded 0/107. However, a spell of 3/11 in the second innings contributed to a remarkable Australian win and arguably saved his Test place. He solidified this when he took 7/52 in a match-winning performance against the West Indies in the 1992/93 series in Melbourne.

Despite the inauspicious start to his Test career, Warne has since revolutionised cricket thinking with his mastery of leg spin, which many cricket followers had come to regard as a dying art due to its immense difficulty of execution. For all his on-pitch and off-pitch controversies, Warne's place in cricketing posterity has been assured by the fact that he has overturned the domination of cricket by fast bowling that had prevailed for two decades before his debut. Despite the presence of high quality spin bowlers such as Abdul Qadir on the Test scene, Australia's fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson had dominated cricket in the early 1970s; while from 1976 until the early 1990s, the West Indies had lost only one (ill-tempered and controversial) Test series with a bowling attack almost exclusively comprising fast bowlers. In the early 1990s, with the West Indies on the wane, Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram of Pakistan were assuming the mantle of the world's most feared bowlers. It was in that context that Warne's tormenting of batsmen became so significant rather than his actual statistics. His humiliation of Gatting and subsequent dominance, in particular, of English and South African batsmen, provided a welcome sight for cricket watchers weary of the relentless intimidation by West Indian bowlers of the 1980s and 1990s. His treatment of South African batsman Daryl Cullinan was such that Cullinan was said to have sought the help of a therapist to overcome Warne's psychological hold.

Warne combined the ability to turn the ball prodigiously, even on unhelpful pitches, with unerring accuracy and a wide variation of deliveries (notable among these being the flipper). Gideon Haigh, the Australian jounalist, said of Warne upon his retirement: "It was said of Augustus that he found Rome brick and left it marble: the same is true of Warne and spin bowling."[2]

Many of his most spectacular performances have occurred in Ashes series against England, whose players' inexperience against leg spin bowling made them particularly vulnerable. However, with feats like the famous "Gatting Ball", otherwise known as the "Ball of the Century" which spun sharply and bowled a bemused Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes series, most of the credit is Warne's. Conversely, he has struggled against India, particularly the great Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar: his bowling average against India is a poor 47.18 runs per wicket, compared with his overall average of less than 26[3].

As well as his Test career Warne has been highly effective bowling in one-day cricket, something few other leg spin bowlers have managed. He also captained Australia on several occasions in One-Day Internationals, winning ten matches and losing only one. Warne had intended to retire from ODI cricket at the end of the 2003 World Cup: as it transpired, his last game for Australia was in January 2003. However, he did appear for the ICC World XI for the Tsunami benefit match in 2005.

In March 2004, Warne became the second cricketer after Courtney Walsh of the West Indies to take 500 Test wickets. He broke the record for most career wickets in Test cricket on 15 October 2004 during the Second Test against India at Chennai, overtaking his great spin bowling rival, Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka. On 11 August 2005 at Old Trafford, in the Third Ashes Test, he became the first bowler in history to take 600 Test wickets. In 2005, Warne also broke the record for the number of wickets in a calendar year, with 96 wickets. His ferocious competitiveness was a feature of the 2005 Ashes series, when he took 40 wickets at an average of 19.92 and scored 249 runs.

Warne is also noted for his exuberant (and sometimes effective) lower-order batting, once famously being dismissed for 99 with a reckless shot on what was later shown to be a no ball. In fact, of all Test cricketers Warne has scored the most Test runs without having scored a century, with two scores in the nineties being his best efforts. Warne is also third overall in the most international test ducks. In 2006 Warne and Glenn McGrath reportedly lost a bet of which bowler would be the first to get a Test century with fellow Australian bowler Jason Gillespie after Gillespie scored a record double-century as a nightwatchman against Bangladesh.

Warne is also a brilliant slip fielder. He has taken this role on a full-time basis since his shoulder injury. Slip fielding requires quick hands but not much throwing, and hence is ideal for the post-injury Warne. He has performed well in this role and is currently seventh in the list of most catches as a fielder in test cricket.

Warne (right) bowling to Ian Bell at Brisbane Cricket Ground in 2006

Warne began the 2006/2007 Ashes campaign with an indifferent test in Brisbane and a poor first innings showing — his worst figures ever, in fact — at Adelaide. However, his second innings heroics, including bowling Kevin Pietersen around the legs, triggered England's fifth-day collapse and Australia's historic victory. Warne again bowled well in the second innings in the third Test, and took the final wicket of Monty Panesar as Australia regained the Ashes.

Just days after these events, on 21 December 2006 Warne announced his retirement, which came into effect after the fifth Ashes Test match at the SCG. (He will honour his contract with Hampshire but will play no further competitive cricket within or for Australia). He became the first cricketer to reach the 700-wicket milestone in his second last test, on Boxing Day 2006. Warne said that it was his intention to "go out on top," adding that he might have retired after the 2005 Ashes series, had Australia won. [4] Commentators Tony Greig and Mike Gatting were interviewed immediately after this announcement and both expressed surprise and sadness on hearing this news which was by now spinning around the world. Warne achieved his 700th test wicket at 3.18pm on 26 December 2006 (AEST) by bowling English batsman Andrew Strauss out at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the final time Warne will play professionally at that ground. This was the first occasion that a player had taken 700 career wickets. The wicket was described as a "classic Warne dismissal" to which the crowd of 89,155 gave a standing ovation.

In the last match of the 2006 Ashes Series at the SCG, Sydney spectators bade him farewell in his very last Test match, just as they witnessed his Test debut on 2 January 1992. Thus, a career spanning exactly 15 years ended where it all began.

In this final Test, Warne ended England's first innings by trapping Monty Panesar lbw for a duck and his 1000th total international wicket. His final Test wicket was the key wicket of Andrew Flintoff, stumped by Adam Gilchrist near the end of Day 3.

Controversies

Despite nearly universal recognition of Warne's talents, his reputation with fans and cricket authorities is mixed, owing to a succession of intemperate actions in both his professional and his private life.

Bookmakers

In 1998, Warne admitted that he and Mark Waugh had taken money from a man known only as John, who was later discovered to be operating with bookmakers. The money was stated to be for pitch and weather reports.

Charged with bringing the game into disrepute

Warne was charged with bringing the game into disrepute in 1999 following his comments about the Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

Positive test for banned substance

In February 2003, just prior to the start of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Warne was sent home after a drug test during the one-day series in Australia earlier in the year returned a positive result for a banned diuretic.

Warne initially claimed that he took only one of what he called a "fluid tablet" – the prescription drug Moduretic — in an attempt to improve his appearance.[5]

In the end, the panel found Warne guilty of breaching the ACB's drug code, and imposed a one-year ban.[6] It was further revealed, and confirmed by Warne in a subsequent television interview, that he had actually taken two of the pills.

At the time, Warne took the view that the ban imposed would lengthen his Test paying career [7]. The leniency of the one year ban was criticised by the World Anti Doping Authority (WADA) [8] although WADA, in turn, was criticised by Warne for interfering in the matter [9].

During his suspension, he considered working for the St Kilda Australian rules football club as an assistant coach, before the Australian Football League told the club that it would be inappropriate to have somebody suspended for a drug offence advising its players. He also received invitations to play in various celebrity "park cricket" teams, and the newly renamed Cricket Australia reversed its decision on whether Warne, as a contracted player, should be allowed to play in such matches. He also became a TV commentator for Channel 9 in Australia during this time.

Personal life

Warne has 3 children - Brooke, Summer and Jackson with his ex-wife Simone Callahan (born 1970).

Marital infidelities

Warne's private life has been beset by scandals and subjected to scrutiny by British tabloid newspapers. He came under criticism for text messaging a woman whilst on tour in South Africa, accused of sending lewd and harassing messages. However, the woman who made the claims (Helen Cohen Alon) was subsequently charged with extortion in her own country.[10]

Further allegations of Warne having extra-marital affairs broke in 2005 as Australia began its tour of England in preparation for The Ashes. On 25 June 2005, Warne and his wife Simone Callahan announced that they had decided to separate.

On 7 May 2006, the News of the World tabloid newspaper published pictures of Warne standing in his underpants with a pair of 25-year-old models, as well as explicit text messages allegedly from Warne.[11]

On 1 April 2007, Warne and his wife were reported to be getting back together.

Endorsements and off-field earnings

Warne's off-field indiscretions cost him various corporate endorsements and offers. On 13 July 2005, Australia's Nine Network announced it would not renew Warne's commentating contract, worth around AU$300,000 annually. Warne had previously been seen as a future member of the Nine cricket commentary team, and had done commentary work during his one-year ban from cricket in 2003.

Warne has had much negative media publicity due to his affairs. He has often been the subject of parodies and jokes and has even had a number of songs written about his infidelity.

He also does promotional work for hair-loss-recovery company Advanced Hair. This matter was investigated by the British Advertising Standards Authority in relation to an illegal celebrity endorsement of medical services.[12] In response to the investigation Warne stated " There's only one thing that worries me, and that's hair loss".

Warne has also endorsed the Codemaster video games Shane Warne Cricket and Shane Warne Cricket '99. Outside Australia these were known as Brian Lara Cricket and Brian Lara Cricket '99.

Cars

Warne has indulged his passion for cars. He has owned two Ferraris: he purchased a 355 Spider in 1996, and in 2001 he bought a 360 Spider in titanium, with red interior. At that time he had six cars - the Ferrari, two Mercedes four-wheel drives, two BMWs and a Holden VK Commodore. However, after his separation he sold his collection, and now owns a BMW X5 in Australia, and rents a Mercedes E55 AMG in England [13]

Recognition

• He was chosen as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year for 1994.
• In 2000, Warne was named by a 100-member panel of experts as the fourth of five Wisden Cricketers of the Century. Warne received 27 votes, behind Sir Donald Bradman (100 votes), Sir Garfield Sobers (90 votes), and Sir Jack Hobbs (30 votes). Sir Viv Richards took the fifth place, with 25 votes. Warne is the only Wisden Cricketer of the Century who has not been knighted.
• Warne is one of the four Australian cricketers to have been named in "Richie Benaud's Greatest XI" in 2004 (Don Bradman, Dennis Lillee and Adam Gilchrist are the others).
• In 2005 he was named as winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality for his performance in the 2005 Ashes.
• Warne appeared on the 6th and 7th July episode of the popular Australian soap Neighbours on behalf of his charitable foundation.
• In 2006 he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Southampton Solent University for services to cricket.
• He is a huge fan of the St Kilda Football Club and played in their 2nd's side.
• Former Australian Test Cricket captain Kim Hughes described Warne as the "Donald Bradman of bowling" following the announcement of Warne's intention to retire. [14]
• He is only one of 4 Australian cricketers to have his portrait hang in the Long Room at Lords, the others being Victor Trumper, Sir Donald Bradman and Keith Miller. He is also the only one to have it hanging while he was still playing.

Test wicket milestones

• 1st: Ravi Shastri (India)
• 50th: Nasser Hussain (England)
• 100th: Brian McMillan (South Africa)
• 150th: Alec Stewart (England)
• 200th: Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
• 250th: Alec Stewart (England)
• 300th: Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
• 350th: Hrishikesh Kanitkar (India)
• 400th: Alec Stewart (England)
• 450th: Ashwell Prince (South Africa)
• 500th. Hashan Tillakaratne (Sri Lanka)
• 550th: James Franklin (New Zealand)
• 600th: Marcus Trescothick (England)
• 650th: Ashwell Prince (South Africa)
• 700th: Andrew Strauss (England)
• 708th (last wicket): Andrew Flintoff (England)

Books

As author or co-author

• Shane Warne: My Official Illustrated Career by Richie Benaud and Shane Warne (Cassell, 2006) ISBN
• The Complete Shane Warne by Ken Piesse (Viking, 2001) ISBN
• Shane Warne: My own story by Shane Warne and Mark Ray (Bookman Projects, 1997) ISBN

Biographies

• Spun Out: Shane Warne the Unauthorised Biography of a Cricketing Genius by Paul Barry (Bantam Press, 2006) ISBN
• Shane Warne: My Autobiography (Coronet Books, 2002) ISBN ((Audiobook)Audio Cassette: Hodder & Stoughton Audio Books, 2001 ISBN) (Hardcover: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, 2001 ISBN)
• Shane Warne: Portrait of a Flawed Genius by Simon Wilde (John Murray, 2007 ISBN)

Trivia

• Boris Johnson, in his "The Dream of Rome" TV series and book, referred to the statue of Augustus as "arm aloft like Shane Warne doing his flipper, effulgent in marble and larger than life”.
• At the 2005 Allan Border Medal award ceremony, it was stated that Shane Warne's highest Test score of 99 ended when he was dismissed by a delivery from Daniel Vettori that should have been signalled a no ball. Had it been signalled, Shane Warne would have registered his maiden Test century, as he had crossed with batting partner Glenn McGrath before he was caught and would have scored a run.
• He is a huge fan of the St Kilda Football Club and wanted to play with them when he was younger (he played in their 2nd's side).
• The Australian Comedian Kevin Bloody Wilson wrote a song about his antics called The Shane Warne song
• During one Test Match Special broadcast, Jonathan Agnew accidentally referred to Warne as Humpty Dumpty.

Poetry about Shane Warne

• Come Shane By Victoria Coverdale (Make Jam Press, 2006) ISBN

External links

• Cricket-Online player profile - Shane Warne
• Shane Warne at ESPNcricinfo
• Cricinfo Stats Guru: List of Test wickets for Shane Warne
• Cricket Australia media release congratulating Warne on 500th wicket
• 10 photos of milestone wickets in Warne's career

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