Shane Warne (Source: @ICC, @cricketworldcup, @StarSportsIndia/X.com)
The greatest leg spinner in cricketing history, Australia's Shane Warne, was at another level whenever he used to bowl a cricket ball. Warne was born on the 13th of September, 1969, and lived until 2022, as he died at the relatively young age of 52.
Despite that, the leg-break genius played in a total of 145 Tests to pick 708 wickets at an average of 25.41, while in one-day cricket, he grabbed 293 scalps in 194 games. Therefore, in this article, we will have a look at some of the finest spells by Shane Warne in international cricket for Australia.
5) 7/56 Vs South Africa, SCG, 1994
Positioned at fifth place on this list is Shane Warne's spell of 7 for 56 against South Africa back in 1994 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Regarded as one of the finest thrillers in Test cricket's history, the South Africans batted first and were bowled out for just 169 thanks to Warne's 7 for 56 that came in 27 overs, as he almost sent the African side back to the pavilion.
Following this, Australia came back strongly in their first innings as well with the bat, scoring 292, to which the Proteas replied with 239. Chasing just 117 for victory, Australia unfortunately were bowled out for just 111, as South Africa claimed an unbelievable victory by just five runs in a classic thriller. Despite this crucial victory, Warne's spell is regarded as one of the finest in his career.
4) 4/29 Vs South Africa, 1999 World Cup Semi-Final, Edgbaston
At fourth position on this list is Warne's another spell against South Africa in another classic: the 1999 World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston. It was the semi-final match that was played in Birmingham, where Australia batted first and put up 213 runs. South Africa tried their level best and were only able to level the score, putting up 213, where Warne picked up four crucial wickets for 29 runs in his 10-over spell as the match ended in a hard-fought tie.
On the basis of points in the group stage, Australia made it to the final. Thanks to Warne's spell, South Africa, despite going strong in the game, lost quick wickets in the middle, where Warne was central to their success in this classic World Cup thriller.
3) 7/23 Vs Pakistan, Gabba, 1995
His third-best spell came against Pakistan in 1995 at the Gabba in Brisbane. It was the first Test at Brisbane in 1995, where Australia put up a heavy total of 463 on the board. In reply, Pakistan was bowled out for a paltry 97, where Shane Warne picked seven crucial wickets for just 23 runs in 16.1 overs, giving runs at an economy of just 1.42.
His spell included the wickets of Aamer Sohail, Ramiz Raja, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Basit Ali, Moin Khan, and skipper Wasim Akram, alongside Mohammad Akram, as Pakistan were blown away by Warne's leg spin. After being asked to follow on, Pakistan only managed 240 in reply, as Warne again claimed four scalps in this innings, totalling 11 wickets in the match, where Australia won by a mammoth margin of an innings and 126 runs.
2) 4/33 Vs Pakistan, 1999 World Cup Final, Lord's
The second-best spell from Warne came in the finale of the 1999 World Cup at Lord's. After getting past the South African lineup in the crucial semi-final, the final challenge for Australia were Pakistan. At the iconic Lord's cricket ground in London, Pakistan, after batting first, folded for just 132.
Shane Warne picked four vital wickets for just 33 runs in his 9-over spell. Chasing 133 for victory, Australia finished the game in just 20.1 overs with eight wickets to spare as they lifted their second World Cup title on the back of Warne's outstanding spell in the finale, where he was also awarded the player of the match.
1) 8/71 Vs England, Gabba, 1994
The finest ever spell in international cricket from Shane Warne came during the Ashes 1994/95. In the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia put up 426 runs on the board after Michael Slater and Mark Waugh scored centuries. In reply, England could only reach 167, as Craig McDermott picked a six-wicket haul.
In reply, Australia again put up 248 for eight as they declared their innings, setting England a mammoth target of 508 runs. Chasing 509 for victory, England folded for 323, as Shane Warne bowled 50.2 overs, giving away 71 runs, and registered eight wickets in his spell while bowling at an economy of just 1.41.
This outstanding spell ensured Australia's victory by 184 runs, and he was also declared player of the match for his outstanding contribution, where he picked up 11 wickets in this game, with eight coming in just one innings.
Despite bowling all these spells, no figures or stats could ever justify how big an impact Shane Warne had for Australia during his time in international cricket. Therefore, despite not living till this day to see him celebrate his birthday, but Warne's aura and status remain intact and will continue to be so even a century after his passing.
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