20th December, 2006 | Back to Shane Warne Index

 

The Sheikh of Tweak - Profile

 

Over the coming weeks we hope to have a comprehensive profile of arguably the greatest bowler to have played the game - he is our bowling Don Bradman ! Come back soon for more. If you have any comments on Shane as he enters his retirement we'd love to hear from you. Contacts Us. Have you seen him play or been to one of his coaching clinics - let us know ! Your comments are important to us.

 

That Shane Warne has re-written the record books, and almost single-handedly revitalised the art of leg spin is without doubt. Off the field of play he has had his critics but on it, he is without compare.

 

Described by Richie Benaud as, "the best leg-spinner I've ever seen", Warne combines a complete armoury of leg spinner, top spinner, googly and flipper, with enormous spin, and considerable accuracy.

 

Former England batsman Mike Gatting will always remember the first ball he faced from the young leggie and indeed the first ball that the young leggie bowled in Test cricket in England. Warne's debut ball, at Old Trafford in 1993, pitched way outside leg but still came back far enough to dislodge Gatt's off stump. The former England captain had to have his jaw closed for him.

 

Warne bowls from a few paces, varies his pace and flight well, and was the scourge of batsmen world-wide until being laid low by an injury to his bowling shoulder in 1998. Since his return, Warne may have had his critics at Test level - and his involvement in a betting scandal can't have helped concentration - but he has been vital in One Day Internationals. As captain of Australia in the Carlton and United series, it was his flipper, with the fifth ball of the 32nd over, that trapped Alan Mullally lbw and embarrassed England in a 2-0 final series whitewash.

 

His lower order batting may be less effective in the limited overs game than the Test arena but 'niggle' is a word that could easily be associated with his time at the crease. It is his persona that really grips the public, though. His bleached blond hair, outgoing personality and fondness for fast food have earned him the nickname of "Hollywood" and Australian fans worship him. The cricketing establishment are still not sure.

 

Ex England captain said of Warne "His ability to outthink a batsman sets him apart and makes him the best bowler I played against." - praise indeed.

 

Born on the 13th September, 1969 in Frentree Gully Melbourne, Warne has played for the major teams in his career namely Victoria, Hampshire and of course Australia. He has toured all of the major ICC Test playing nations except Bangladesh. He is currently the leading wicket taker in world cricket with 708 wickets. Back to Shane Warne Index