21st December, 2006 | Back to Shane Warne Index

 

FORMER England captain Mike Gatting - the victim of Shane Warne's "ball of the century" in England in 1993 - said the bowler's retirement marked "a sad day for cricket".

 

"He's the best leg spinner there's ever been," Gatting said. "He's done an enormous amount for cricket. He's kept it in the forefront of the public eye the world over. He'll be hard to replace - not just by Australia but by cricket in general.

 

"I'm a bit surprised. I thought he had more petrol in the tank but obviously he wants to go out on a high."

 

Barely a day goes by when Gatting is not reminded of Warne's first ball in Ashes cricket, which pitched outside the Englishman's pads, turned across the right-hander and took off-stump. Gatting does not tire of discussing it, saying in a way he was proud to have been involved in a piece of history.

 

"I don't get sick of it - it was one of those things, like any incident that keeps getting talked about forever," he said. "In a way it's nice to be a part of history by being the batsman involved, although I do hope I'm remembered for other things. It was what it was - phenomenal. Very close to the best ball I ever faced."

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