Shane Warne passes away: Top 10 Shane Warne moments – In what is truly shocking news, legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne has breathed his last on Friday, at the age of 52. One of the greatest wicket-takers of all time, Warne suffered a suspected heart attack while in Thailand as per a statement by his family.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived. The family requests a privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course,” his family said in a statement.
Shane Warne passes away: From ball of the Century to World Cup heroics – Top 10 Shane Warne moments
10. IPL win with Rajasthan Royals
At the age of 38, Shane Warne led an unfancied Rajasthan Royals side to a title win in the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League in 2008. Considered as perhaps the weakest team in the league, Warne worked his magic and unheralded uncapped stars as Royals surprised one and all and clinched the title, beating MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in the final.
9. 99 vs New Zealand
Shane Warne’s exploits with the bat have done Australia huge favours during his career, and the leg-spinner agonisingly missed out on a 100 against their Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand. Batting on 99, Warne tried to smack Daniel Vettori into the stands only to be caught at the boundary, in what remains his highest test score.
8. 7/52 vs West Indies in Melbourne
Before the ball of century happened, Warne had already shown signs that he means business by running through the best team in the world in 1992. West Indies were set at 143/1 in their chase of 359, having not lost a a Test series since 1979-80. However, a rookie Warne triggered a collapse with the wicket of captain Richie Richardson. Australia won by 139 runs as Warne collected his first man of the match award, for figures of 7/52.
7. Fitting finale at the MCG
Warne’s love for the MCG is well known and the leg-spinner did not disappoint in what turned out to be his final appearance in the baggy green at the venue. Entering the game at 699 wickets, Warne spun a web around Andrew Strauss to dismantle the stumps in a classic dismissal in front of a packed stadium. He finished with figures of 5/39, his final 37th and the final 5-wicket haul of his career.
6. 1996 World Cup semi-final
Shane Warne was a man for the big stage and three years before he led Australia to the World Cup, he ensured that his team had reached the final during the 1996 edition. Defending a mediocre 207, Australia were in deep trouble with West Indies cruising at 165/2. However, Warne turned the tables with a brilliant spell of 4/36 in his 9 overs, as Australia somehow sneaked in a five-run win.
Shane Warne passes away: From ball of the Century to World Cup heroics – Top 10 Shane Warne moments
5. 8/71 vs England at the Gabba (Best figures)
Shane Warne’s best bowling in an innings came early in his career, with the leg-spinner taking 8-71 against England at the Gabba, Brisbane. Needing 508 to win, the Old Enemy looked to draw the match, but Warne had other ideas, bowling more than 50 overs to hand Australia a 1-0 series lead.
4. Hat-trick at MCG
Shane Warne always saved his best for the MCG and his only career hat-trick naturally came at the venue back in 1994. The leggie had already dismantled the English visitors with a six-wicket haul to bowl them out for 212 in the 1st innings. In the second innings, he got Phil DeFreitas, Darren Gough and Devon Malcolm as the MCG erupted with Australia bagging a famous win.
3. 1999 World Cup win
Shane Warne’s only World Cup success came in England, and the leg-spinner played a large part in helping the Aussies to the first in what would be their three successive World Cup triumphs. Warne’s biggest contribution came in the semi-final where Steve Waugh’s side were in danger of slipping out of the tournament. South Africa got off to an imperious start scoring 48 in the first 10 overs, but Warne ripped them apart, with a bewitching spell of four for 29 for his 10 overs.
2. 2005 Ashes
While the 2005 Ashes did not swing in Australia’s favour, Shane Warne had one of his finest tours to England. In what was a tough spell for the leg-spinner with alcohol addiction and his family’s separation, Warne put in a player of the series performance, picking up an unbelievable 40 wickets, and adding 257 runs with the bat.
1. Ball of the Century
The delivery that stamped Shane Warne’s authority as one of the finest players of his craft. Playing his very first Ashes Test, Warne ripped up a peach which came to be dubbed as the ball of the century. With Mike Gatting on strike, the then 23-year-old landed his first ball outside the his leg stump, and the batsman could only watch in utter disbelief as it then ripped past his defences to hit the top of off. Gatting stood there in disbelief as the Australians celebrated around him, before being asked to walk back to the Pavillion. The rest is history.
Shane Warne passes away: From ball of the Century to World Cup heroics – Top 10 Shane Warne moments
