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Amidst the Russia – Ukraine war came a shocking news that shook the cricketing fraternity. Aussie Leg spin wizard Shane Keith Warne had passed away at the age of 52 from a suspected heart attack while on a holiday in Thailand .One thought that the news was not real and not true. But soon the worst fears came true as twitter was flooded with tributes from team- mates, and rivals who deeply mourned Warne’s untimely passing away.
What can be more tragic, Warne ironically had tweeted ( incidentally became his last tweet) in the morning about the demise of Australia’s iconic wicket- keeper Rod Marsh who passed away at 74. Little did anyone fathom in their wildest dreams that Warne would be no more in the evening.
Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate❤️
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 4, 2022
Australia were rocked by the passing away of two of their cricketing icons . The losses were not only for Australia but the cricket world . That cricket players from all over tweeted on their demise prove their colossal impact on the game . The cricket world would miss them forever.
Though to be honest one had not seen much of Rod Marsh and his heroics behind the stumps . But flipping the pages of history one could see that the wicket-keeper and Aussie fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee formed a formidable duo , And the scorecard whoever Australia played the familiar sight of Caught Marsh bowled Lillee was clearly visible.
Marsh was widely respected by rivals too. And this attribute was pointed out by former Pakistan Cricket captain the iconic all- rounder and now Prime Minister Imran Khan. In his tweet while paying tribute to Marsh. Khan wrote, Saddened to learn of the passing of Rodney Marsh who was Australia’s legendary wicket keeper. During my cricketing career I remember him being not just a great cricketer but one who was respected by both his own team and his opponents.
Saddened to learn of the passing of Rodney Marsh who was Australia’s legendary wicket keeper. During my cricketing career I remember him being not just a great cricketer but one who was respected by both his own team and his opponents.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 4, 2022
On Warne too Khan tweeted, Saddened to learn of the sudden passing of cricketer Shane Warne, a bowling genius who took the art of leg spin to new heights. He will be missed across the cricketing world.
Saddened to learn of the sudden passing of cricketer Shane Warne, a bowling genius who took the art of leg spin to new heights. He will be missed across the cricketing world.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 5, 2022
Warne ‘s career one can remember vividly . When he made his debut at Sydney against India in 1992 he had figures of 1/150. The victim was Ravi Shastri. Then not many cricket pundits would have ever thought that the leg spinner would become one of the greatest spinners the game has ever seen in the years ahead.
Well soon came the moment year later – 4 June 1993, the second day of the first Test of the 1993 Ashes series, at Old Trafford in Manchester, in his first Ashes series and his first ball he bowled the experienced Mike Gatting with a delivery which was aptly later called the “Ball of the Century”. The prodigy had arrived big time and since then there was no looking back . And the rest they say is history. The Ball of the century was soon compared with late Argentine football great Diego Maradona’s iconic second goal against England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Both were stuff of genius and stuffs of legend.
The ascent of Warne saw the return of leg spin . Warne took it great heights with his skill. Unlike spinners who relished bowling in surfaces which offered turn to weave their magic , Warne on the other hand never needed these attributes to display his class. Ona any wicket he could make the ball turn and much to the agony of the batsmen. This was genius. Though in his ear there were other greats like India’s Jumbo Anil Kumble and the Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan yet Warne towered above them with his wizardry . He was without doubt the superstar of spin . His figures said it all – 708 wickets in Tests and 293 in ODI’s .
After the retirements of Australian legendary trio of Dennis Lillee, Greg Chappell and Rodney Marsh in the late 80’s , and soon after Allan Border, Australia were looking for a superstar . And Shane Warne filled that slot. He was flamboyant, lived life on his own terms , enjoyed phenomenal popularity and was a great crowd puller in whichever part of the world he played. Yes, he courted several controversies in his career but that did not diminish his aura a bit . He was Shane Warne .
That he was never considered to be captain of Australia remained his biggest regrets. He had astute cricketing brain and this was proved when he captained a virtually under- rated Rajasthan Royals team to win the first season of the IPL in 2008 . It was fairytale triumph . And in the early beginnings of the Lalit Modi created IPL, the tournament needed superstars to set the league ablaze . And Warne was certainly one of them. He led the Royals with passion and made it a competitive team to reckon with . Paving the way for the likes of Rahul Dravid and Shane Watson to take it forward . Warne had left indelible mark on the IPL .
After his playing days were over, Shane Warne donned the role of commentator and the cricket fans were delighted to hear his passionate incisive commentary during the matches. And even in the commentary box he charmed all with his presence . And co- commentator Isa Guha so aptly tweeted
Heartbroken ? the best times of my life have been talking cricket with this bloke. The true rockstar of cricket. Will miss you so much. An icon, a game changer, a friend #ShaneWarne pic.twitter.com/V9IfsHQuHp
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) March 4, 2022
This tweet by Guha aptly sums up what an impact Shane Keith Warne had on the game and how much he will be missed. All we can say now Well Bowled Shane . RIP #Legend
