Shane Warne set to retire
Australians are in mourning and the rest of the world is celebrating as Shane Warne is set to retire from Test cricket after the Sydney Test. He hasn't made any official announcement yet - he's holding a press conference tomorrow. I'm holding out a slim hope that he's actually going to announce a reconciliation with Simone Warne or a new breakthrough in laser hair technology but the odds are against it. We have just two more Test matches to appreciate his genius.
A side effect may be some of Australia's other veterans will prolong their careers. They'll all be acutely aware of the Chappell-Lillee-Marsh effect - when three greats simultaneously left the game to devastating effect on Australian cricket. The last thing we need is a procession of Australian champions leaving the team at the same time. The irony is of all our ageing champions, Warne is the last one we want to leave. Glenn McGrath while still effective is looking positively creaky in the field. Hayden and Langer's reflexes will surely start to dull against the new ball. Gilchrist is still strugging for form barring the odd record breaking innings. But the art of legspin is an area of cricket least affected by age. Warne is still at the peak of his powers.
Warne is also the most difficult player to replace in the side. For openers, we have Phil Jaques, Mike Hussey and a handful of other young promising batsman waiting for a hit. Glenn McGrath has his own mini-me in Stuart Clark ready to take up the baton. Brad Haddin will do a fine job as wicketkeeper. But how do you replace as Collingwood puts it "the greatest bowler to have ever walked on the planet"? Easy, says Stuart MacGill, who will quickly remind anyone that he has a better strikerate whenever they play together.
It's a huge loss that suddenly takes the sheen of our still sparkling Ashes victory. The key to winning Test matches is taking 20 wickets, something Duncan Fletcher only realised after he lost the series. Australia has been blessed to have two of Test cricket's greatest wicket takers in the same team. Both McGrath and Warne possess the ability to not only take wickets but also choke up the runs. More than that, Warnie is an entertainer. It's compelling cricket watching Warne impose his will upon the game as he chirps away at a batsman, surrounds him with fieldsmen, tempts him with flight or just bamboozles him with vicious turn and bounce. Cricket will be the duller without him.
| Posted by JC on Wed 20 Dec |  23 comments |
I hope and pray that it is not true. I only recieved the terrible news ten minutes ago. Devastating. Bring on the ashes and sackcloth. The Greatest Living Australian is about to descend from Olympus and live with we mortals. I'll remember the moment my brother told me as vividly as my Grandfather remembered hearing about JFK. I feel blessed to have watched and worshipped at the altar of Greatness.
I remember Sir Bob Menzies saying that he "owed Bradman that which can never be repayed". I know I feel likewise. Go well Shane
Go Well
Warney
Warney
Warney
Warney
Posted by Michael on 2006-12-20 19:31:18
I remember Sir Bob Menzies saying that he "owed Bradman that which can never be repayed". I know I feel likewise. Go well Shane
Go Well
Warney
Warney
Warney
Warney
Posted by Michael on 2006-12-20 19:31:18
His last Test, it'll be a bit like a death in the family. But it was inevitable. So many wonderful memories. Forget his off-field indiscretions. I've said that he could take advantage of my wife and be forgiven, providing he kept on amazing us with his freakish cricketing abilities!! (not that he'd fancy my missus, but the offer was there!!)
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-20 20:06:10
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-20 20:06:10
What is this we hear about him playing in the World Cup? Is this some sort of a temporary retirement so that he can focus on the Cup?
Either way if he goes, its like losing a part of yourself. I cant imagine cricket without Warnie :(
Posted by jethro on 2006-12-20 20:21:27
Either way if he goes, its like losing a part of yourself. I cant imagine cricket without Warnie :(
Posted by jethro on 2006-12-20 20:21:27
A sad day indeed.
Its strange the Ritchie Benaud in the coverage just after the 3rd test finished said that he thought McGrath would retire, but Warne would not. He even said he thought Warne would be there in 2009.
He was just speculating of course, but if Warne is joining Channel 9 don't you think someone should have told Ritchie??
Poor old bugger. Maybe they didn't tell him because they knew it would break his heart... as it has for many of us.
Good luck Warnie. You are a legend, and always will be.
Posted by Timbo on 2006-12-20 20:57:54
Its strange the Ritchie Benaud in the coverage just after the 3rd test finished said that he thought McGrath would retire, but Warne would not. He even said he thought Warne would be there in 2009.
He was just speculating of course, but if Warne is joining Channel 9 don't you think someone should have told Ritchie??
Poor old bugger. Maybe they didn't tell him because they knew it would break his heart... as it has for many of us.
Good luck Warnie. You are a legend, and always will be.
Posted by Timbo on 2006-12-20 20:57:54
Finally some good news for England
Posted by Cov on 2006-12-20 22:05:57
Posted by Cov on 2006-12-20 22:05:57
Aren't some of you guys out there sceientists? Can't we pinch a gene or two? What about cryogenics? We gotta do something before these Poms start to get a sniff again.
Posted by TA on 2006-12-20 23:23:58
Posted by TA on 2006-12-20 23:23:58
Cov, England are probably wishing he'd retired *before* the series (as well as licking their lips for a Warne-free 2009 series)
Posted by JC on 2006-12-21 00:27:10
Posted by JC on 2006-12-21 00:27:10
BTW, interesting quote from Brett Lee's article in the Daily Telegraph where he says "THERE were no shock retirements in our dressing room on Monday night ... and my hope is that there won't be for some time." He obviously had no idea Warnie was going to retire. Same with Damien Martyn. I thought the Aussie team were a close knit bunch. Don't these guys talk to each other?
Posted by JC on 2006-12-21 00:36:19
Posted by JC on 2006-12-21 00:36:19
JC, we could have done with him retiring about 10 years ago...
It's not been officially confirmed yet has it?
As for 2009? Well see my post from earlier in the week...
http://ashes-countdown.blogspot.com/2006/12/normal-service-is-resumed.html#links
Posted by Cov on 2006-12-21 02:58:52
It's not been officially confirmed yet has it?
As for 2009? Well see my post from earlier in the week...
http://ashes-countdown.blogspot.com/2006/12/normal-service-is-resumed.html#links
Posted by Cov on 2006-12-21 02:58:52
I'm speechless! Have been building myself up to this possibility since last summer but enough people had convinced me that there was no way he'd retire unless he got injured again so I stupidly let myself be led into a faulse sense of security, doh!
Is it not even remotely possible the press conference will be to put a stop to rumours and announce he will be back for 2009?? Ok so i'm clutching a straws, but I for one am not ready to say I've seen him play his last test!! Somebody do something....please!!!
Posted by okbl on 2006-12-21 03:42:56
Is it not even remotely possible the press conference will be to put a stop to rumours and announce he will be back for 2009?? Ok so i'm clutching a straws, but I for one am not ready to say I've seen him play his last test!! Somebody do something....please!!!
Posted by okbl on 2006-12-21 03:42:56
Maybe there will be an announcement of Warne being appointed as CEO of 3 so he can keep his much needed mobile perks? Channel 9 may offer a new contract now that Eddie everywhere Maguire is at the helm. Whatever happens, I hope Warner gets the 'Hollywood' position he would crave if he hangs up the spikes after Sydney.
Posted by Ian on 2006-12-21 07:49:28
Posted by Ian on 2006-12-21 07:49:28
Warne just did his press conference and it's now official, retirement from international and any Australian domestic cricket. Will still play 2 years for Hampshire though, lucky bastards!
Posted by JC on 2006-12-21 12:58:11
Posted by JC on 2006-12-21 12:58:11
A little anecdote.
Years ago my son was playing junior representative cricket, at the national titles. He was lucky enough to have a net session with Warnie and managed to strike up a brief conversation with the great man.
Several years later they met again. Not only did Warnie remember my son and their earlier meeting, he also recalled my son's name. Not bad when you consider how many people Warnie would meet from day-to-day. Anyway, he took the time to find out how my some was doing, what he was up to etc.
Not bad for a so-called selfish, opinionated bastard heh?
And don't forget the Shane Warne Foundation either. Like us all, the man has his faults, but he really is a sporting phenomena and will in time become a true legend!
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-21 15:32:25
Years ago my son was playing junior representative cricket, at the national titles. He was lucky enough to have a net session with Warnie and managed to strike up a brief conversation with the great man.
Several years later they met again. Not only did Warnie remember my son and their earlier meeting, he also recalled my son's name. Not bad when you consider how many people Warnie would meet from day-to-day. Anyway, he took the time to find out how my some was doing, what he was up to etc.
Not bad for a so-called selfish, opinionated bastard heh?
And don't forget the Shane Warne Foundation either. Like us all, the man has his faults, but he really is a sporting phenomena and will in time become a true legend!
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-21 15:32:25
Well here's one Englishman who is also sad to see Warnie jack it in - we've no more excuses in future! Not only the greatest bowler ever but a super entertainer. Its been a privilege...
Posted by AgainsTTheWall on 2006-12-27 20:29:49
Posted by AgainsTTheWall on 2006-12-27 20:29:49
Warne is a great bowler, but I'm glad he's going now. Lets all be fair, he should have been banned for life many years ago when he got caught for match fixing. The Man was and is and always will be a cheat.
Posted by About Time on 2006-12-27 22:28:25
Posted by About Time on 2006-12-27 22:28:25
"Given another life, i dont mind being Shane Warne"
Posted by Tauseef Satti on 2006-12-31 09:56:09
Posted by Tauseef Satti on 2006-12-31 09:56:09
WEll what good news for me the english supporter hey?
FROM FRASER T
Posted by Fraser on 2007-02-24 16:10:47
FROM FRASER T
Posted by Fraser on 2007-02-24 16:10:47
WEll what good news for me the english supporter hey? AND HOMER RULES
FROM FRASER T
Posted by Fraser on 2007-02-24 16:12:59
FROM FRASER T
Posted by Fraser on 2007-02-24 16:12:59
helloo this article stinxx u should put moree info on it for lil kids to learn about for there skool projects and stuff..
idiotss
Posted by lynette on 2007-11-03 16:54:38
idiotss
Posted by lynette on 2007-11-03 16:54:38
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