5 best Ashes performers for Australia

#2 Shane Warne

Warne reached his landmark -700 wicket-mark in Melbourne in 2007.

Shane Warne was always in the headlines during his playing days, either for on-field achievements or some off-field mishaps. But make no mistake, he was a star cricketer.

Warne was one of the spinners who made spin bowling (especially leg-spin) look beautiful. He started off badly but soon came into his own and by the time he finished his career he was the second highest wicket-taker (708) in Test match history.

He had a special connection with England. Warne’s first ball in Ashes cricket is still one of the best deliveries bowled in Test cricket.

It later became the ‘Ball of the Century’ as he bowled Mike Gatting with a jaffa. He hasn’t looked back since. He has picked up a staggering 195 wickets against England at a stunning average and strike-rate (23.25 and 55.1 respectively).

His best figures (8/71) in an innings also came against England at Brisbane in 1994. Warne enjoyed a stellar Ashes career as he finished as the highest wicket-taker in Ashes history.