Always a huge shock when one of the true greats of the past dies. You always thought they were immortal. RIP Shane.
The word 'legend' is bandied around far too much in this day and age, BUT, Shane Warne was more than a legend! I grew up watching Shane bowl and he was literally an inspiration to me as a youngster wanting to play cricket at the highest possible level I could. Everyone at my cricket club wanted to 'bowl like Warney'. Such a sad day. RIP.
I have been privileged to have watched two of the greatest cricketers of all time: Viv Richards and Shane Warne. Others have come close - the whole Windies fast bowling attack of the 70s/80s, Hadlee, Botham, Lara, Tendulkar. Colin Dredge of Somerset (one for @RookeryDad there). But there was something just extraordinary about those first two, which just transcended greatness to reach immortality. And with sportsmen who are that good, it doesn’t matter who they play for. And as @WillisWasTheWorst eloquently put it, you don’t expect immortals to die. I’m still shocked at this. Raising a glass for Warney tonight.
Yes, you're quite right, it wasn't his first ball in test cricket. He started fairly poorly the year before. I think that ball was the moment his career changed!
Genuinely shocked when I heard Shane Warne had passed, and I did not realise he was so young, only 52. A true cricketing legend who will be sadly missed RIP Shane.
My boys nicknamed him Sto. That 10-12 year old English kids would have that familiarity with an Australian player now seems like something from the 1950s. But Sto’s personality demanded attention & his exquisite skill & generosity of spirit demanded affection. Shane was a supreme competitor & a brilliantly insightful analyst. And what a way to go. Sounds like a crazed, carefree shag fest. And why bloody not?
SO much to like about this clip. I remember watching this as a 10 year old and the impression it made on me. Legend Warnie. Great to hear Richie and Bob Willis I think on BBC commentary. Both now gone too of course. Special mention to Gatting in the twilight of his international career and the appearance of the good old BBC graphics too. Starting gun of some dark times for English cricket this moment in 1993 was, but now good looking back in some ways at what is a different era completely. Although at the time you wouldn’t have known it. Still can’t process that SK Warne has gone!
I’m not a huge cricket fan by any means, but as a kid he made cricket interesting for me and my brothers at a time when England were pretty dull and awful, but were still televised on terrestrial TV. I used to relish him coming into bowl with the cries of “bowled Shane” from his Aussie teammates.
Just a couple of clips of Warne in action. One as a non player encapsulating him as a individual and the other weaving his magic. The greatest sportspeople in their sport are much more than the greatness of their technical abilities though undoubtedly that is what puts them into the highest stratosphere of sporting achievement. It's the charisma, the desire to win (sometimes at all costs), a maverick nature at times. And on top of that the ability to intimidate opponents or opposing teams by their presence alone. Warne was all of that and why his passing is so lamented.
State funeral for Warne. Shows how much of a legend and star he was really . https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60637190
Just happened to flick through the sky channels to see when our coverage started and they happened to be showing a Doc called Warne in a million. Interesting that he never even wanted to be a cricketer, he was desperate to be an AFL player but never quite made the grade as he was a bit too slow. He resisted the cricket for a while and never took it seriously to start with, and yet he ended up being one of the best ever.
Shane's untimely death and the show of respect towards him and most importantly the game is what he would have wanted . Cricket is the loser this week but Shane made sure the game is a winner . R.I.P. you Larrakin !
I wonder if there is anyone useful and experienced we can call up instead? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60617043
Well who would have thought ? England win toss, elect to bat, and both openers gone within 5 overs !!!
TBF the challenge has always been which England regular could replace him ? Do we want to burden Stokes who clearly has struggled with some mental issues ? Not sure who else would be viable, crap though he is ! If Burns had cemented his place, he could have been an option being a county captain.
Different players , country ,conditions - same old problems for England !! Apparently only won a series once in 40 years in the West Indies . Sums it all up .
He'd probably be a better captain and as long as he comes in for an opener, there's no impact on our batting.
Given how crap we are though I'm not sure anyone is guaranteed their place other than Root. Maybe Robinson ? Woakes, but he's in and out.
