5 things to know about Shane Warne on his 46th birthday
The spin legend retired from the sport in 2007 but was a part of IPL, BBL
Mumbai: Shane Warne arrived when he stunned Mike Gatting in the first Ashes Test in Manchester, 1993. Since then, he has been constantly hoodwinking all world class batsmen. Let us delve deep into his career and mark five glorious incidents from the spinner’s life.
Ball of the century: Gatting literally punished bad spinners and during the 93’ Ashes, Warne was the only spinner, that too inexperienced, Australia picked. But the blond leggie turned heads once his delivery took a flight and kissed Gatting’s stumps. It came to be known as ‘Ball of the Century’.
Fastest to 700: The connoisseur of spin bowling was the first bowler in Test history to reach 700 wickets, his career ended at 708. Later, Muttiah Muralitharan (800) overtook him in terms of wickets.
10 ten-wicket hauls: In 145 Tests, Warne has 48 four-wicket hauls, 37 fifers and 10 ten-wicket hauls. His strike rate read 57.4 and average, 25.41.
Success with captaincy: Warne was the skipper for Rajasthan Royals from the inaugural year of the IPL and the one-time Australia vice-captain single handedly won the trophy for the Rajasthan franchise. If not with the ball in all matches, his cricketing brain did the talking.
At the slips: A terrific slip fielder, Warne is the seventh in the list of most catches (125) in Test cricket with a fantastic presence of mind too. Look here.