The Legendary Career of Shane Warne: 10 Key Facts

Shane Keith Warne was born on September 13, 1969, in Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia. He attended Mentone Grammar School, where he initially showed more interest in Australian Rules football.

Warne made his Test debut for Australia against India on January 2, 1992, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He struggled initially but soon became a key player for Australia.

In 1993, Warne bowled what is often referred to as the "Ball of the Century" or the "Gatting Ball" during the Ashes series in England. His delivery to Mike Gatting, which pitched outside leg stump and spun sharply to hit the off stump, is one of the most famous deliveries in cricket history.

Over his illustrious career, Warne played 145 Test matches, taking 708 wickets at an average of 25.41. He also played 194 One Day Internationals (ODIs), taking 293 wickets at an average of 25.73.

Warne was particularly successful in Ashes series against England. He is the highest wicket-taker in Ashes history with 195 wickets in 36 matches.

Warne was the captain and coach of the Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Under his leadership, the team won the tournament, defying expectations.

In 2003, Warne was handed a one-year suspension after testing positive for a banned diuretic. He claimed that he had taken a pill given to him by his mother to aid in weight loss.

Warne retired from international cricket in January 2007, after the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. He continued to play in various T20 leagues before retiring from all forms of cricket in 2013.

After retiring from cricket, Warne became a prominent cricket commentator and analyst. He also took on coaching roles and remained involved in the game through various media engagements.

Warne's personal life often attracted media attention, including his relationships and charitable work. He was married to Simone Callahan, with whom he had three children. Warne passed away on March 4, 2022, in Thailand, at the age of 52. His death was mourned globally, and he is remembered as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history.