- The cricket-loving millions woke up to the shocking news of the untimely death of Shane Warne, the maverick Australian leg spinner of a very rare variety, possibly due to cardiac arrest in a resort of Thailand where he was reportedly spending some leisurely time. Aged just 52 years, the news about the passing away has not only jolted the entire cricketing community, players and enthusiasts alike but also has shocked the sporting fraternity no end. It simply belies acceptance as generally the sportspersons are known to lead a disciplined life without ever letting go of their guard in maintaining a healthy disposition.
PC: Rachit Kanaujia
- But people in the know would vouch that Shane Warne loved to defy logic, lead a flamboyant lifestyle, and look down upon accepted norms by breaking the ceiling more often than not. How do you define a cricketer who not only metamorphosed a skillful art form of wrist spin bowling into a tremendous force to reckon with by scalping batters but also bamboozling them to get into their skin by terrorizing time and again? The first bowler in the world to scalp 700 Test victims, eventually his tally stood at 708 wickets, Shane Warne inspired several youngsters to take to the difficult art of leg-spin in a big way.
- Cricket connoisseurs would recollect how Shane Warne debuted against India as a precocious talent scalping a lone wicket of double centurion Ravi Shastri that cost him 150 runs back then. After that trial by fire introduction into the hurly-burly of international cricket arena, the manner with which Warne went about altering the very outlook of spin bowling is simply incredible. Of course, the ball of the century, the very first ball bowled by Warne in England, that turned a long way from outside of leg stump to knock the top of off-stump against the hapless Mike Gatting in 1993 marked the definite arrival of Warne in the grandest manner possible. Since then, there was no stopping him and the rest as they say is history.
PC: Lunchclub
- Even though Warne was found more than once in defying the accepted cricketing conventions by indulging in controversies of diverse nature mostly off the field, his exploits on the field were simply magical by artfully exhibiting oeuvre of leg spinner’s arsenal. The traditional leg breaks, googlies, flippers, and similar such varieties coming from the unending repertoire of Warne were a delight to watch irrespective of the cricketing affiliations. As they say, statistics speak for itself aptly applies to Shane Warne as well. No wonder, he was named as one amongst the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century alongside Don Bradman, Jack Hobbs, Garfield Sobers, and Vivian Richards, the biggest names in the annals of world cricket.
- Mind you, he was rightfully credited with reviving, nurturing, and ensuring the flourishing of leg-spin bowling across the cricket-playing nations. Cricket enthusiasts would fondly recollect how several of the established batters were rendered defenseless courtesy spellbinding skills of Warne. There was never a boring moment when the incomparable leg spinner was turning his arms around. Of course, he had moderate success against Indians and his fascinating battles against batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar need no further emphasis. The Little Master triumphed more often than not is stating the obvious. But the contest between the two stalwarts was always riveting. Unfortunately, all that is now history with only memories to reminisce. The untimely demise of Shane Warne is hard to fathom. Cricket fans will only wish his soul attains eternal peace and find some better purpose again. Rest in peace, Champion!
