Yet another era in international cricket is about to end with the retirement of Australian leg spinner Shane Warne at the completion of the current Ashes series.
He was deservingly the first bowler to reach the 600-wickets and 700-wickets milestone in Test cricket, celebrating in style with the 37th five-wicket haul of his career as England folded cheaply on the first day of the Melbourne Ashes Test.
There have been several spinners who have attracted attention over the past decade but for consistency and longevity none can match Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne. Both have been controversial in different ways.
Any cloud surrounding Shane Warne has been related primarily to his life off the field, the most significant event being his one- year ban after failing a drug test just prior to the 2003 World Cup.
Some elements of his personal and family life have also attracted attention but after his retirement at the end of the Ashes series, Shane Warne will hopefully only be remembered for his tantalising leg spin bowling that has bamboozled batsmen at all levels for more than a decade.
He was deservingly the first bowler to reach the 600-wickets and 700-wickets milestone in Test cricket, celebrating in style with the 37th five-wicket haul of his career as England folded cheaply on the first day of the Melbourne Ashes Test.
There have been several spinners who have attracted attention over the past decade but for consistency and longevity none can match Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne. Both have been controversial in different ways.
Any cloud surrounding Shane Warne has been related primarily to his life off the field, the most significant event being his one- year ban after failing a drug test just prior to the 2003 World Cup.
Some elements of his personal and family life have also attracted attention but after his retirement at the end of the Ashes series, Shane Warne will hopefully only be remembered for his tantalising leg spin bowling that has bamboozled batsmen at all levels for more than a decade.
Shane Warne quietly entered the Test arena against India at Sydney on 2 January, 1992.
The retirement of Warne opens the door for Stuart MacGill to resume his stuttered Test career.
MacGill has played 14 of his 40 Tests against the West Indies and has enjoyed Caribbean conditions more than his more celebrated countryman.
While it must be reassuring for the Aussies to have such a competent replacement for Shane Warne, the champion leg spinner’s unique personality and enthusiasm will be sorely missed.
The retirement of Warne opens the door for Stuart MacGill to resume his stuttered Test career.
MacGill has played 14 of his 40 Tests against the West Indies and has enjoyed Caribbean conditions more than his more celebrated countryman.
While it must be reassuring for the Aussies to have such a competent replacement for Shane Warne, the champion leg spinner’s unique personality and enthusiasm will be sorely missed.
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