The Hindu : Shane Warne factfile

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2003

Sport

Sport - World Cup

Shane Warne factfile

Born: 13 September 1969, Melbourne.

Teams: Australia, Victoria, Hampshire.

Test debut: v India, Sydney, 1991-92. 107 matches, 491 wickets (second on all-time list), average 25.71. Best bowling: 8-71.

One-day international debut: v New Zealand, Wellington, 1992-93. 291 wickets (sixth on all-time list), average 25.82. Best bowling: 5-33.

Born in the outer Melbourne suburb of Ferntree Gully and grew up dreaming of a career as an Australian Rules footballer for St. Kilda.

As a schoolboy, concentrated on his batting but his big, strong hands and ability to impart enormous spin on leg-break deliveries with unusual accuracy led to him being fast-tracked into Test cricket at age 22.

The most successful spinner in Test history. One of five players named as Wisden's cricketers of the 20th century.

Useful lower-order batsman, with a high score of 99 made against New Zealand in November 2001.

Married with three children and nicknamed `Hollywood' because of his dyed blond hair.

On Test debut v India in Sydney, Jan 1992, took 1-150 followed by 0-78 in his second Test. Dropped from the side but reclaimed his place and has been a permanent part of the Australian Test team ever since except for one occasion when he was dropped after coming back from shoulder surgery.

Has almost single-handedly revitalised the art of leg spin, tormenting batsmen the world over with his clever variations. Bowled Mike Gatting with his first ball in Ashes cricket in 1993 with the `Ball of the Century.' More than a quarter of his wickets have been Englishmen.

Had career-threatening shoulder operation in 1998. Similar surgery is often carried out on javelin throwers. Also has had finger surgery.

Relaunched his career at the 1999 World Cup with 20 wickets and won man-of-the-match awards in both the semifinal against South Africa and final against Pakistan.

Involved in two major controversies when claimed he was offered a bribe by Salim Malik to throw a Test match in Pakistan 1994. Later admitted receiving money from a bookmaker in Sri Lanka but said it was a gift, not a bribe. Fined and reprimanded by the Australian Cricket Board over the incident.

Shed 14 kg in 2002 as part of a fitness regime and celebrated by taking 6-161 off 70 overs in the second innings of Australia's four-wicket win over South Africa in Cape Town in March 2002.

Launched his own wine collection in October 2002.

Injured his shoulder playing in a one-day match against England in Melbourne on December 15 and was out of the Australia side for a month, missing the last two Tests of the Ashes series which Australia won 4-1.

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