Sportskeeda's All-Time Test XI: From the realms of immortality

#8 – Shane Warne (Australia)

Warne heralded the psychological aspect of spin bowling

Being the man who would later go onto spin webs around batsmen by getting into their heads, Shane Warne‘s debut was particularly unforgettable – but in the wrong sense. When he sent down 45 overs and conceded 150 runs with just one wicket to show, not many would have expected him to end up as the most successful leg-spinner of all-time.

However, the Victorian did all that by also becoming a crowd puller with his palpable charisma.

Keen on giving the ball a good ol’ rip, Warne triggered a revolution by largely adhering to the basics. He remained content with his impeccable control and an assortment of straighter deliveries rather than developing a lethal googly. While it seemed like the focus was starting to shift to off-field stuff, his mesmerizing spells drove home the focal point – the ‘King of Spin’ simply knew how to pick wickets.

Did You Know – When Sourav Ganguly was once treating even his half-volleys with caution, Warne pointed to Tendulkar at the other end and remarked to him, “People have come here to watch that man play his strokes, not to see you block.” Taking the bait, the left-hander danced down the track only to get stumped.

Statistics: 708 wickets from 145 matches at an average of 25.41 with 37 five-wicket hauls and 10 ten-wicket hauls.