Quotes by Warne |
| All my coaches tell me that I have been under achieving. |
| Four hundred wickets is 400 more than I thought I'd get. |
| I just play because I love playing and I try and take as many wickets as I can. |
| I suppose my look, the way I play - you combine all that sort of stuff and that makes people interested in what I actually do. So then, when off-the-field stuff happens... I suppose it's one of those cocktail mixes. |
| I've slept with a couple of people and made some poor choices and put things in jeopardy with... what I was happy with, and that's my own fault. I've got no one else to blame about that stuff. |
| It was bloody difficult getting followed around all the time. |
| My life was falling apart and then to come out and play and have my best ever - 40 wickets, 250 runs... But the only reason I could do that was because of the way I thought and I think I'm pretty strong mentally. I think I am anyway, pretty strong to get over whatever it is. |
| My only problem is the fear that opposition bowlers might go for my fingers and that's why I was scared of the short ball. Now I am struggling with the ball pitching up and swinging away. I just keep nicking that one. |
| The first thing is to be patient, which is probably the hardest thing to do. Don't worry if blokes are whacking you out of the park because you still have the opportunity to get him out next ball, even if it's not the same ball. |
| The wickets I have played on for my whole career, most of them have been to suit fast bowlers in Australia. |
| Sachin Tendulkar is the hardest batsman I've ever had to bowl to because he judges the length a lot quicker than anyone else. |
| The first thing is to be patient, which is probably the hardest thing to do. Don't worry if blokes are whacking you out of the park because you still have the opportunity to get him out next ball, even if it's not the same ball. |
| Captains started to realise that spin bowling didn't have to be defensive but they could actually be attacking bowling in both one-day and Test cricket. I like to think I played a part in getting spin bowling back into fashion again. |
| Quotes on Warne |
| How anyone can spin a ball the width of Gatting boggles the mind |
| Martin Johnson on Shane Warne's ball of the century |
| Shane Warne's idea of a balanced diet is a cheeseburger in each hand. |
| Ian Healy |
| What he has done for the game is immeasurable really. The fact that he revived the dying art of leg spin bowling and just the way he has gone about his cricket, it's just been exciting when Shane Warne is involved." |
| Former Australian captain Allan Border |
| "He was a resilient, courageous and tough opponent. Warnie was always a match winner because he had a great repertoire and a sense for the occasion. The greater the stakes the better the performance." |
| Former Australian captain Steve Waugh |
| "His presence on the cricket field has not only inspired Australian cricket teams but also made life very difficult for opposition teams. It's always a significant advantage to walk on the field with Shane Warne." |
| Australian coach John Buchanan |
| For me, he was the reason you played cricket. To be in a Test against him, you knew you were in a battle with Warne, verbally, physically, mentally and technically. |
| Former England captain Nasser Hussain |
| As a wicket-keeper there's no better spot to be than standing behind the stumps to Shane Warne at any time really. But when he's on song it's quite mesmerising, so he brings a great deal of joy to me, just like everyone else sitting around watching. He makes us look good because he's so brilliant. |
| Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist |
| I don't think anyone's done more than what he's done. On and off the field there's been areas of controversy, but statistically (he is) the greatest bowler that ever played. He was tough, very, very competitive but he had a cheeky streak about him. |
| New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming |
| In cricketing terms he is the ultimate legend. He's probably the best bowler there has ever been on this planet." |
| England batsman Paul Collingwood |
| Whatever you say about Shane Warne it isn't enough. His performances have not only shaped cricket in Australia but worldwide. Most people go through a purple patch and Shane Warne has had a purple patch for 15 of 16 years." |
| Former Australian fast bowler and current selector Merv Hughes | "In the space of a short time, he's turned the game upside down, changed it in concept. I think his greatest single achievement is not necessarily the 700 wickets, but the fact that when Wisden chose the five cricketers of the century, they chose Donald Bradman, Garry Sobers, Jack Hobbs, and Viv Richards - and Shane Warne who had only been playing since 1991. That's quite remarkable. |
| Former Australian captain Richie Benaud |