Shane Warne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Shane Warne

Warne in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Shane Keith Warne
Born	(1969-09-13)13 September 1969 Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia
Died	4 March 2022(2022-03-04) (aged 52) Ko Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand
Nickname	Warnie, The King, King of Spin
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm leg break
Role	Bowler
International information
National side	Australia (1992–2007)
Test debut (cap 350)	2 January 1992 v India
Last Test	2 January 2007 v England
ODI debut (cap 110)	24 March 1993 v New Zealand
Last ODI	10 January 2005 v Asia XI
ODI shirt no.	23
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1990/91–2006/07	Victoria (squad no. 23)
2000–2007	Hampshire (squad no. 23)
2008–2012	Rajasthan Royals (squad no. 23)
2011/12–2012/13	Melbourne Stars (squad no. 23)
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 145 194 301 311 Runs scored 3,154 1,018 6,919 1,879 Batting average 17.32 13.05 19.43 11.81 100s/50s 0/12 0/1 2/26 0/1 Top score 99 55 107* 55 Balls bowled 40,705 10,642 74,830 16,419 Wickets 708 293 1,319 473 Bowling average 25.41 25.73 26.11 24.61 5 wickets in innings 37 1 69 3 10 wickets in match 10 0 12 0 Best bowling 8/71 5/33 8/71 6/42 Catches/stumpings 125/– 80/– 264/– 126/–
Medal record Men's Cricket Representing  Australia ICC Cricket World Cup Winner 1999 England-Wales -Ireland-Scotland-Netherlands Runner-up 1996 India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 29 March 2008

Shane Keith Warne (born 13 September 1969 – died 4 March 2022) was an Australian cricket superstar. He played for Australia from 1992 to 2007. Many people believe Warne was not only the best leg spin bowler ever, but also one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history. He was known for his amazing ability to spin the ball, which changed how people thought about cricket.

Warne played in 145 Test matches and took 708 wickets. This was a world record for the most wickets by any bowler in Test cricket for a while. He also scored over 3,000 runs in Test matches, with his highest score being 99. Shane Warne was a key player in the Australian team that won the 1999 Cricket World Cup. He stopped playing international cricket after Australia won the 2006–07 Ashes series against England.

After he retired, Warne became a popular cricket commentator. He also supported many charities. Shane Warne passed away suddenly at 52 years old while on holiday in Thailand. Many tributes and memorials were held for him in Australia and around the world. He was honored with the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his great contributions to cricket.

Shane Warne: Cricket Legend

Who Was Shane Warne?

Shane Keith Warne was an Australian international cricketer. He played as a right-arm leg-spin bowler. He was also a right-handed batter who usually batted lower down the order. Warne played for teams like Victoria, Hampshire, the Melbourne Stars, and the Australian national team.

He also played for and coached the Rajasthan Royals. He even led them to victory in the first season of the IPL in 2008.

Shane's Early Life and Cricket Journey

Shane Warne was born in Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia, on 13 September 1969. His parents were Brigitte and Keith Warne. His mother had German and Polish heritage. He went to Hampton High School and then received a sports scholarship to Mentone Grammar.

Shane's first big cricket experience was in 1983–84. He played for the University of Melbourne Cricket Club in a competition for players under 16. He bowled both leg-spin and off-spin and was a useful batter.

The next season, Warne joined St Kilda Cricket Club. He slowly moved up through the teams to play in the first eleven. For a short time in 1987 and 1988, Warne also played Australian rules football for the St Kilda Football Club's under-19s and reserves teams. After 1988, he decided to focus only on cricket.

In 1989, Warne spent six months in Bristol, England. He played for the Imperial Cricket Club and took 49 wickets. In 1990, he trained at the Australian Cricket Academy in Adelaide. He returned to the academy in 1992, where former Australian Test spinner Terry Jenner helped him improve his leg-spin skills.

Playing for Teams: Domestic Cricket

Warne made his first-class cricket debut on 15 February 1991 for Victoria. He played against Western Australia in Melbourne. He later captained Victoria in the 1999–2000 and 2002–03 seasons. Over his career, he played 76 matches for Victoria.

In 2000, Warne signed a contract to play for Hampshire County Cricket Club in England. He returned to Hampshire as captain from 2004 to 2007. He played 139 matches for Hampshire, scoring his only two first-class centuries and taking 276 wickets.

Shane Warne's Amazing International Career

First Steps in International Cricket (1992–1995)

Warne made his international debut on 2 January 1992. It was in a Test match between Australia and India in Sydney. He took one wicket in that match. His early international games were a bit challenging.

However, in August 1992, Warne took three quick wickets against Sri Lanka. This helped Australia win a close match. He was then recalled for the Second Test against the West Indies in Melbourne in 1992–93. In this match, he took 7/52, which was a match-winning performance.

In 1993, Warne was chosen for Australia's Ashes tour of England. His very first ball of the series, at Old Trafford, became famous as the "Ball of the Century". He bowled English batsman Mike Gatting with a ball that spun sharply. Warne took 34 wickets in that Ashes series, helping Australia win 4–1.

He took 72 Test wickets in 1993, which was a record for a spin bowler in a calendar year at the time. In 1994, he took ten wickets in a Test match for the first time against South Africa in Sydney. Warne was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1994.

In the 1994–95 Ashes series against England, Warne took a career-best 8/71 in the first Test. In the Second Test, he achieved his first and only Test hat-trick. He dismissed three batsmen in a row: Phil DeFreitas, Darren Gough, and Devon Malcolm.

World Cup Wins and Big Moments (1995–1999)

In 1995, Warne helped Australia defeat the West Indies in a Test series for the first time in nearly 20 years. He took 15 wickets in four Tests.

Warne was a key player in Australia's team for the 1996 Cricket World Cup. He took 12 wickets, including 4/36 in the semi-final against the West Indies. Australia reached the final but lost to Sri Lanka.

In 1996–97, Warne took his only ODI five-wicket haul against the West Indies in Sydney. He finished with 5/33. In 1997, he helped Australia win the Ashes in England, taking 24 wickets.

By late 1997, Warne became the second Australian, after Dennis Lillee, to take 300 Test wickets. In 1998, he became the most successful spin bowler in Test cricket, passing Lance Gibbs' record of 309 wickets. Warne missed some international cricket in late 1998 due to shoulder surgery.

Leading the Team: Vice-Captaincy (1999–2000)

Warne bowling against the Sydney Sixers in 2011 during a Big Bash League match

After Australian captain Mark Taylor retired in 1999, Steve Waugh became captain, and Warne was promoted to vice-captain.

Warne was chosen for the 1999 Cricket World Cup in the United Kingdom. He took 12 wickets in the early stages of the tournament. In the semi-final against South Africa, he took 4/29 and was named man of the match. Australia won a thrilling tied match to reach the final. In the final against Pakistan, Warne took 4/33 and was again named man of the match. Australia won the World Cup comfortably. Warne finished as the tournament's joint-top wicket-taker with 20 wickets.

In March 2000, Warne surpassed Dennis Lillee's 355 wickets to become Australia's leading-ever wicket-taker. Due to some personal matters, he was later replaced as vice-captain by Adam Gilchrist.

Overcoming Challenges and Milestones (2001–2006)

Warne missed the 2000–01 Australian summer due to a finger injury. He returned for the 2001 Ashes in England, taking 31 wickets. In the final Test, he took his 400th career Test wicket, becoming the first Australian and sixth person in history to reach this milestone.

In the 2001–02 Australian summer, Warne made his highest batting score in international cricket, scoring 99 runs against New Zealand. He was just one run short of a century.

In 2003, Warne faced a temporary ban from playing cricket. This happened after a test showed a substance in his system that was not allowed. He explained that he had taken a "fluid tablet" given to him by his mother, which he believed would help his appearance. The cricket board decided to suspend him for one year. During his suspension, he worked as a television commentator.

Warne returned to cricket in February 2004. In March, he became the second cricketer, after Courtney Walsh, to take 500 Test wickets during a series against Sri Lanka. On 15 October 2004, he broke the record for the most career wickets in Test cricket, taking his 533rd wicket against India. He surpassed Muttiah Muralidaran for this record.

In the 2005 Ashes series, Warne was outstanding. He took 40 wickets and scored 249 runs, sharing the Player of the Series award with England's Andrew Flintoff. On 11 August 2005, he became the first bowler in history to take 600 Test wickets. In 2005, Warne also set a new record for the most wickets in a calendar year, with 96 wickets.

Reaching 700 Wickets and Retirement (2006–2007)

Warne (right) bowling to Ian Bell at the Gabba in Brisbane in 2006

Warne continued to perform brilliantly. In the 2006–07 Ashes series, he helped Australia regain the Ashes. On 21 December 2006, Warne announced he would retire at the end of that Ashes series.

In his second-to-last Test match, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26 December 2006, he took his 700th Test wicket. He bowled English batsman Andrew Strauss, becoming the first player ever to reach 700 Test wickets. The crowd of 89,155 gave him a huge standing ovation.

Warne's final Test match was at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where he had debuted 15 years earlier. In this match, he took his 1,000th international wicket. His final Test wicket was Andrew Flintoff. Warne is one of only two bowlers to have taken more than 1,000 wickets in international cricket.

Shane Warne in Twenty20 Cricket

Warne bowling at Lord's for Rajasthan Royals in a Twenty20 match against Middlesex in 2009

After retiring from international cricket, Warne became the captain of Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. He led the Royals to victory in the very first season of the competition. He continued to captain the team for four more seasons.

In 2011, Warne signed to play for Melbourne Stars in Australia's first Big Bash League (BBL). He took seven wickets in eight matches. In 2013, he faced a fine and a one-match ban for his actions during a game, which included using strong language and showing disagreement with an umpire's decision. In July 2013, Warne officially retired from all forms of cricket.

In 2018, Rajasthan Royals appointed Warne as their team mentor for the IPL.

Shane's Unique Bowling Style

Warne is widely considered one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history. He changed cricket with his amazing skill in leg spin bowling. This type of bowling was thought to be a "dying art" because it was so difficult. Warne helped bring spin bowling back into the spotlight.

He could spin the ball a lot, even on pitches that didn't help spin bowlers much. He was also very accurate and had many different types of deliveries, like the flipper. Many of his most amazing performances happened in Ashes series against England. The "Ball of the Century" in 1993 is a perfect example of his skill.

Warne was a very competitive player. He liked to make batsmen think and feel pressure. He once said that "part of the art of bowling spin is to make the batsman think that something special is happening even when it isn't."

Warne was also a good lower-order batter. He once got out for 99 runs, just one short of a century. He holds the record for the most Test runs without ever scoring a century. He was also a successful slip fielder, taking 125 catches in Test cricket.

Life After Playing: Commentator and Charity Work

After retiring from playing, Warne became a popular television cricket commentator. He worked for the Nine Network, Sky Sports, and Fox Cricket.

After retiring, Warne dedicated time to the Shane Warne Foundation. This charity helped children who were seriously ill or didn't have many opportunities. The foundation worked for several years to make a positive difference in children's lives.

Warne also joined Muttiah Muralitharan in helping Sri Lankans affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. His charity donated AU$20,000 to help rebuild Galle International Stadium.

In 2008, Warne signed an agreement with 888poker to represent them at international poker events. In 2010, the Nine Network created a chat show called Warnie, where he interviewed celebrities. Warne also did promotional work for a hair-recovery company.

Away from cricket, Warne was also known as a keen amateur golfer. In 2018, he hit a hole in one at the Augusta National Golf Club. In 2021, Warne became ill with COVID-19 but recovered. Warne was born with complete heterochromia, meaning he had one blue eye and one green eye.

Remembering Shane Warne

A Sad Farewell

On 4 March 2022, Shane Warne sadly passed away at 52 years old. He died from a heart attack while on holiday in Thailand. His death was a natural occurrence.

Warne died on the same day as fellow Australian cricketer Rod Marsh. Warne had paid tribute to Marsh on Twitter just hours before his own death. Six days later, Warne's body was returned to Melbourne from Thailand.

Warne's private funeral took place on 20 March 2022 in Melbourne. His parents and three children led the mourners, and some of his former teammates were there.

Tributes from Around the World

Warne's statue outside the MCG became a makeshift memorial to him after his death

Many Australian teammates, including Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, and Ricky Ponting, remembered Warne. Cricketers from other countries, like England's Kevin Pietersen, India's Sachin Tendulkar, and the West Indies' Brian Lara, also paid tribute.

To honor Warne, the Australian women's cricket team wore black armbands in their first 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup game. The Australian men's cricket team also observed a minute of silence before play in their Test match against Pakistan.

Celebrities like Chris Martin of Coldplay, Russell Crowe, and Elizabeth Hurley also shared their respects. Fans placed flowers, beer, and other items at Warne's statue outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground as a memorial.

Warne's former Big Bash League team, the Melbourne Stars, honored him during a game. All the Stars players wore Warne's number 23, and a standing ovation took place after the 23rd ball. The Stars retired the number 23 after the game.

In June 2022, Warne was posthumously appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his service to cricket and charity work. In December 2022, he was named a Legend in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

A Special Memorial Service

A state memorial service for Warne was held on the evening of 30 March 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. About 55,000 people attended, and it was broadcast on many channels and streamed online. Over 1.5 million Australians watched the service.

The memorial began with Greta Bradman, Donald Bradman's granddaughter, singing the national anthem. Warne's children, father, brother, and friends gave eulogies. To end the memorial, Warne's children unveiled the new "Shane Warne Stand" sign at the MCG, as a recording of Frank Sinatra singing "My Way" played.

Awards and Honors for Shane Warne

Statue of Warne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

In 2000, a group of cricket experts chose Warne as one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Century. He was the only specialist bowler and the only player still actively playing at the time. He was also named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 1997 and 2004.

In 2004, Warne was included in Richie Benaud's Greatest XI, a team chosen by Richie Benaud as the best players of all time. Benaud and the Australian public both chose Warne as the best spin bowler ever. In 2005, he was named the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year.

In 2007, Cricket Australia and Sri Lanka Cricket named the Australia–Sri Lanka Test cricket series the Warne–Muralidaran Trophy. This honored Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. Also in 2007, Cricket Australia named Warne in their greatest ODI XI of all time. In 2009, Warne received honorary life membership of Marylebone Cricket Club.

On 22 December 2011, a statue honoring Warne was unveiled outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The bronze statue shows Warne in his bowling action. In 2012, a grandstand at the Rose Bowl in England, where Warne played county cricket, was named the Shane Warne Stand. He was also inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame by Cricket Australia in 2012 and the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013.

Images for kids

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  Shane Warne with Elizabeth Hurley in 2012

See also

In Spanish: Shane Warne para niños