Shane Warne, a name of the constant threat to a batsman, has said good buy to test cricket and the remaining two test matches of Ashes series will be his last international appearance. That is the end of an ear in world cricket. Yesterday, on December 21 he declared his retirement from all sorts of international cricket in a crowded press conference.
This greatest spinner of all time in the history cricket will be past after the ongoing Ashes series. He is now at the verge of a prestigious milestone of getting 700 wickets for the first bowler in test cricket. He is now standing with 699 wickets. He still holds the record of highest wicket takers in test cricket. It is a big chance for this legendary figure of cricket to reach at this landmark in his home town stadium in Melbourne.
It seems to be a hallucination to think that nobody will be seen to appeal so loudly for a leg before or no body will be seen delivering some magical leg spin including flipper and no body will hear Gilchrist saying “Bowling Warney”. Shane Warne has made a distinct position in the world cricket.
Shane Keith Warne was born in Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia in Spetember 13, 1969. This great bowler of test cricket started his cricketing career with an awesome performance. In his debut match against the touring India is bowling figure was 1/228 in 1992. His off form continued in the series against Sri Lanka too though his 3/11 in the second innings of a test match against Sri Lanka held Australia to a memorable win. However, it was7/52 against West Indies in 1992/93 season which is considered as a turning point in his career and from then on he did not look back rather each of his steps was giant and he could show the world that a spinner can also be a threat to a batsmen. Here it is noteworthy that before Warne’s international debut, fast bowlers had dominated the world cricket for at least two decades. The first era was led by Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, two notable and great Australian fast bowlers, who had dominated in the 70’s. Then from 1976 to early 90’s, some of the West Indian legendary pace men including Marshal, Garner, Holding and Kapil Dev from India and Imran Khan from Pakistan were also with them dominating the cricket world. However, after his debut in 1992, he could make himself up to a distinct standard of spin bowling and the started dominating in both ODI and test cricket.
Some of his best performance was seen in Ashes series and against South African batsmen. His famous delivery against English batsman Mike Gatting known as ‘Gatting Ball” and dubbed as ‘Ball of the Century’. In the delivery the ball was pitches far from the leg stamp but unexpectedly the ball came inside which made Gatting played on. The delivery was something especial which one can make once in his career. South African batsmen Daryl Cullinan had to go to therapist to face Warne’s leg spin. On the other hand his performance against India was something does go with his overall performance in his cricketing career.
Warne’s whole career was not only adorned with success rather controversy was also a part of his career which he could depart from neither his professional nor personal life. In 1998, he and Mark Waugh, the then opening batsman of Australian team, were accused of taking money from the bookmakers. Just before the last world cup cricket in 2003 he was sent off to Australia from host country South Africa after being positive in drug test. Banned diuretic was found in hid blood and as a result, ICC banned him from all kinds of International cricket for one year. Many thought that it would not be possible for him to come back with his own form but Warne made them wrong coming back to international cricket and making through some outstanding performance and became the highest wicket taker in the test cricket.
I think his confidence and determination to his aim is the best asset of Shane Warne. If you look back to his career, you can easily understand that how he reached at the pick in spite of having many obstacles which is not possible for a week minded cricketer. Due to some controversies regarding his relation with women made his personal life critical resulting his separation with his wife Simone. However, he was dedicated to his job in the field. He made the example of highest degree of professionalism which most important for today’s cricket.
Regarding this legend of legends, cricinfo says:
“Maybe, as with Posh Spice or Kylie Minogue, Warne is more famous than he is loved. Maybe we don't fully appreciate his genius; maybe, like Bradman's, it will become ever more apparent with the passing of decades. One thing's for sure, though. We'll weep when he's gone.”
In 2000, he was named as the “Wisden Cricketer of the Century” and in 2005 BBC named him as the “BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality” for his outstanding performance in Ashes that year. Besides this recognitions he was also given many awards which talks about his skill and talent in the cricket field.
It is true that nobody can play whole life and taking retirement is an inevitable part of one’s career but if the name is Shane Warne then something comes into mind which can make you emotional at least for a moment. I hope he will also be with cricket in his post-retirement life.
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