An English Farewell to the Wizard of Oz

There’s little doubt that but for Shane Warne, the margin of England’s victory in what has been acknowledged as the greatest ever Ashes series would have been massive. Such was his contribution that on many occasions it seemed he was taking on the Poms almost single-handed.

His figures for the series reveal a total of 252.5 overs (61 more than the next busiest bowler, the indefatigable Brett Lee) and 40 wickets at an average of 19.92 – remarkable for any bowler, miraculous for a spinner. Yet the quality of his bowling transcends mere statistics and defies adequate description. He is, quite simply, the finest and most complete spin bowler the world has ever seen – a relentless competitor whose formidable cricket brain and mastery of subtle variation conspire to make him virtually unplayable for much of the time.

Warne was, as always, worth his place for the mesmerising quality of his bowling alone, but he also averaged 27.67 in the series with the bat and took many catches, although ironically for such a safe pair of hands, his failure to nail Kevin Pietersen on 15 may have cost Australia the Ashes – because his Hampshire team-mate went on to make 158.

When Pietersen was finally dismissed and marched towards the pavilion, Warne made a point of congratulating him and urging him to enjoy his special moment – just as he insisted on paying his respects personally to Richie Benaud after he completed his final Test match commentary in this country.

It is perhaps because of those gestures as much as his skill as a cricketer that members of the Oval crowd were anxious to inform him “We wish you were English”. It would be difficult to find a fiercer competitor or a greater patriot than Warne, but he would have appreciated the sentiment.