Shane Warne: The Australia cricket legend's career in pictures

Mike Letterman

Mar 4, 2022, 9:32 PM
10 Views

Shane Warne in action in 2005 — Warne died on the Thai island of Koh Samui on Friday

The sporting world has been shocked by the death ofShane Warne.

Australia grieves the loss of one of its favourite sons as cricket mourns the passing of one of its greatest players.

Warnie, as he was known, was the king of spin, a loveable larrikin whose stellar career was hit by controversy, and whose star power overcame the pitch where he weaved his magic.

Portrait of Shane Warne in 1990 — Warne was called up to train with the Australian Cricket Academy in 1990

Shane Warne of Australia in action during his test debut during the 3rd test match between Australia and India played at the Sydney Cricket Ground January 4, 1992 — Warne made his Test debut for Australia against India in Sydney in January 1992

Classic Warnie: Shane sports his signature lip zinc and celebrates with a beer after a match in the 1990s — A classic image of Warnie, sporting his signature lip zinc and celebrating with a beer after a match in 1994

Shane Warne of the Australian cricket team in action during a joint training session with the Brisbane Lions AFL club — Warne was a cricketer of world renown, but also fancied himself as an Australian rules player. He supported AFL club St Kilda

When he dismissed Mike Gatting with his first delivery in the famous contest at Old Trafford in June 1993, he became an instant legend.

The hard-spun leg-break that left Gatting staring at his stumps in disbelief went down in cricket folklore as the "ball of the century".

He became the first person in 91 years to take a hat-trick in a Test match when he did it against England.

England's Mike Gatting (centre) is bowled out by Shane Warne's first delivery of the day at Old Trafford. — England's Mike Gatting was dismissed by Shane Warne in 1993 with a delivery that became known as the 'ball of the century'

Australia's Shane Warne celebrates the second wicket of a hat trick during the Australia v England Test match, 29 December 1994 — Warne celebrates the second wicket of a hat-trick during Australia's Test match against England in December 1994

Shane Warne with the Ashes trophy — Warne celebrates with the Ashes urn alongside team-mates Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting. Warne won seven Ashes series between 1993 and 2007 and took a total of 195 wickets in the contest

His signature trick delivery, the flippers, was as well known as his off-field troubles.

In 1998 he and Australia team-mate Mark Waugh admitted to receiving money from a bookmaker for information on the pitch and weather.

In 2003 he failed a drugs test and was suspended from cricket for a year. It cost him a place in Australia's World Cup team.

There were a number of scandals in his private life.

Mark Waugh, Malcolm Speed, CEO of the Australian Cricket Board and Shane Warne at a press conference admitting to accepting money from an Indian bookmaker before a one day match four years ago — Mark Waugh, Malcolm Speed - the then chief executive of the Australian Cricket Board - and Shane Warne at a news conference in 1998, where the players admitted to accepting money from an Indian bookmaker before a one-day match four years earlier

Shane Warne of Australia during a press conference on February 12, 2003 at Melbourne Airport in Melbourne, Australia. Warne tested positive for a banned substance, has returned to Australia and will take no further part in the 2003 Cricket World Cup. — Warne during a news conference in February 2003 after he returned to Australia from the Cricket World Cup after testing positive for a banned substance

During his illustrious career, Warne claimed a gargantuan amount of bowling pins.

He took over 700 Test and one-day international scalps.

He did it on the international stage, but also for his home state of Victoria, in English county cricket for Hampshire, Rajasthan Royals and the Melbourne Stars in Australia's Big Bash competition.

Shane Warne of Australia celebrates the wicket of Nasser Hussain of England in the first final of the Carlton and United One Day Series at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1999 — Warne claimed 293 dismissals in 194 ODIs

Shane Warne bowls the ball — The image of Warne bowling, with stud earrings and tongue out, was iconic

Shane Warne played County Cricket in England for Hampshire — Warne played country cricket for Hampshire

Accrington CC team photo from 1991 — Warne also played cricket in England for the Accrington CC team. He is second from right in the front row in this team photo from 1991

Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh, left, and bowler Shane Warne wave to fans in Sydney during a tickertape parade celebrating the Australian cricket team's World Cup win, 28 June 1999 — Shane Warne was part of Australia's Cricket World Cup-winning side in 1999

The drama, intrigue and controversy that swirled around him, was what he compared his life to a soap opera.

He appeared in episodes of Australia's longest-running drama,Neighbours.

He appeared on a reality TV show after retirement. Get me out of here!

Shane Warne and Elizabeth Hurley attend the presentation of the Crown Oaks during Crown Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3, 2011 — Warne dated film star Elizabeth Hurley for a number of years

Shane Warne on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! — Warne made headlines when a snake bit him on the face his stint on I'm Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!

After Australia whitewashed England in the 2005 Ashes, legendary cricketer and one of the five Wisden cricketers of the century, Warne retired from international cricket.

After a seven-year spell with Hampshire, which he had captained since 2004, Warne retired from first-class and List A cricket.

He played Twenty20 franchise cricket until he retired from all formats.

He is still involved in the game as a commentator and as a coach.