It's the birthday of arguably the greatest spinner of all time in cricketing history.
The man who could turn the ball viciously and cause troubles to any batsman of his time. He took 708 wickets in Tests and 293 wickets in ODIs. He was also an entertainer on the cricket field.
He had a great passion for the game of cricket and brought in a lot of energy with him. His attitude towards the game was amazing to see. Here are some of the factors that argue in his favour to be the greatest spinner of all time.
Most wickets for a leg spinner
Having made his debut back in 1992, in his 16 years of international career, he took the most Test wickets for a leg spinner. He also took the most international wickets among the leg spinner.
His 708 Test wickets are the second most for a bowler (first to the milestone of 700 Test wickets) and a total of 1001 international wickets are the second most for a bowler, only behind Muttiah Muralitharan.
Big turner of the ball
He was effective in cricket mainly because he could turn the ball heavily. He showed the world what he was capable of early in his career, by bowling "The ball of the 20th century" that took a vicious turn and dismissed Mike Gatting.
In another similar exhibition, towards the fag end of his career, in the Ashes series of 2005, he produced yet another magical delivery to dismiss Andrew Strauss. He was one of the few bowlers who could turn the ball on the flattest of pitches.
Image Courtesy: cricket.com.au
Wickets, in the bunch!
Whenever he used to take wickets, he used to take them in the bunch. He was an impactful bowler. He has the most five-wicket hauls and ten-wicket hauls for a leg spinner in Tests.
His 37 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket is the second-highest for a bowler. His 10 ten-wicket hauls in Test cricket is also the second-highest for a bowler in Test cricket. He's behind only Muttiah Muralitharan in both those categories.
First to 600 and 700 Test wickets
In the Ashes series of 2005, he dismissed Marcus Trescothick to become the first-ever bowler to claim 600 wickets in Tests. To date, only three others have managed to breach the mark.
In the very next year in the Ashes series of 2006/07, on the boxing day Test at MCG, he dismissed Andrew Strauss to become the first-ever bowler to claim 700 wickets in Tests. Till date, only one other bowler has managed to reach the mark.
Quickest to 200 and 300 Test wickets
In the year 1995, he dismissed Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka to claim his 200th Test wicket. He was the quickest to reach the mark in terms of the number of days. It took just 1440 days for him to reach there.
In the year 1998, he dismissed Jacques Kallis to claim his 300th Test wicket. He was the quickest to reach the mark in terms of the number of days. It took just 2196 days for him to reach there.
Most Test wickets in a calendar year
He was in a golden form in the year 2005. He took 40 wickets in the Ashes series in England, which is the second-most for a spinner in an Ashes series. He also scored some handful runs in the series.
He finished the calendar year with a total of 96 wickets, which is the most for a bowler in Tests in a calendar year. He took them at an average of 22.02 at a strike rate of 45.1 including 6 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket hauls.
Image Courtesy: Wisden
Most wickets against an opponent
The Ashes is probably the biggest rivalry in cricket. Warne made sure that he brought his best whenever he played against England. He has the most wickets for a bowler against an opponent in Tests.
He took a whopping 195 wickets against England in 36 matches. They came at an average of 23.26 and a strike rate of 55.16 including 11 wicket hauls and 4 ten-wicket hauls. It won't be inappropriate to say that he tamed England for fun, in the conditions that don't usually favour spin.
Most wickets in the fourth innings
He used to be very effective in the fourth innings of the Test matches, one of the main reasons for the success of his team. He has the most wickets for a bowler in the fourth innings of Tests.
He took 138 wickets, bowled 339 maidens in 145 Tests. They came at a good average of 23.14 and a strike rate of 52.96 including 7 five-wicket hauls. The numbers are truly incredible.
Most consecutive wicket hauls
He took a five-wicket haul in four consecutive Tests in 2004, which is the longest streak for a bowler in Tests. He also took a four-wicket haul in three consecutive ODIs in the period 1996-97, which is the joint-most for a bowler in ODIs.
A big match player
For all the brilliance he produced in his most favoured format (Tests), it was in ODIs that some of his best performances came. Especially in the world cups and in knockouts, he was simply sensational.
In the semifinal of the 1996 World Cup against West Indies at Mohali, Australia was defending a paltry score of 208. He initially got the wicket of Courtney Brown. But West Indies were going good in the win chase with 165/2 at one stage. He then ran through the middle order of West Indies as he finished with figures of 9-0-36-4, which helped Australia to win the game by just 5 runs.
In the semifinal of the 1999 world cup against South Africa at Birmingham, Australia was defending a score of just 214. He produced a magic ball to dismiss Herschelle Gibbs. He then also dismissed the likes of Gary Kisten, Hansie Cronje and Jacques Kallis. His amazing spell of 10-4-29-4 helped Australia to tie the game and further proceed to the finals.
In the final of the 1999 world cup against Pakistan at Lord's, he joined the party to dismiss Pakistan for a low score. He took 4 wickets in the game and finished with figures of 9-1-33-4. Australia later won the game easily as Pakistan could never make a comeback in the game.
Image Courtesy: cricket.com.au
He was a legend in all facets of the game. A happy 52nd birthday to arguably the greatest spinner of all time in cricket.
