The King of Spin made his test debut in 1992 against India in Sydney. Started off has an ordinary, chubby, blonde youngster who bowled some leg spin. The cricketing fraternity had absolutely no idea what was in store and how Warnie was going to turn the world of spin bowling on its head in his magnificent 15 year professional playing career for Australia and stretched even longer for other franchises.
He bowled the ‘ball of the 20th century’ on his first ball in his first ashes series against the Poms in 1993 on English soil where it left Mike Gatting absolutely bemused, not knowing how that ball pitched way outside leg stump and somehow clipped his uncovered off stump. This was the day that ‘The Legend of Sharne Keith Warne’ was officially born!
He bowled and bowled and bowled. Leg spin became cool again. His charisma on the field and his never say nerve attitude was absolutely second to none. With the King bowling, the Aussies were never out of the game.
Around came the 1999 world cup semi finals against the Proteas where that Steve Waugh lead mighty Australian team only managed to score 213 runs in their innings batting first on a pretty good batting wicket. South Africa were cursing in their chase and on came the King of Spin into the attack , finishing with figures of 4/29 in his 10 overs. The Aussies now had a shot and ended up with scores level before a shocking run out between Alan Donald and lance Klusener. Aussies now in the final and crowned champions against Pakistan! All hail Spin King Shane Warne!
The 2006/07 Amazing Adelaide Ashes test match for what it’s known to us to this date was another fine effort of Warnie rallying his troops to one of the most unlikely victories. Both teams scoring 500+ is their first innings where by day 4, a draw was the most probable result on the cards. Warnie had other plans! He came onto bowl and bowled from one end for hours on end to restrict England to 129 (leading by 167) with figures of 4/49 in 32 overs. The Aussies now had a shot to chase these runs on the 5th day with about 35 overs to go and they sure did with Michael Hussey caressing the winning runs through covers with a few over to spare!
The ball to Andrew Strauss to claim your 700th test wicket was another piece of history never to be forgotten. You were hard to catch after you bowled him with a ripping delivery!
There are so many stories and I can go on and on and on!
Your contribution to cricket outside of the playing field was also second to none! Coaching, commentating, being a role model to many. You lived your life your own way. Your charisma is what attracted everyone to watch you bowl! Unfortunately your highest score was 99 and you were caught on the boundary, trying to smack it out of the park to get that maiden century. That’s just the way you played the game.
The game of cricket will dearly miss you Warnie. I’m just one of millions of fans around the world. Rest easy King!
Kind Regards,
Greame – the.hopeless.poet
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