Shane Warne (1969-2022) was an Australian cricketer and commentator who was popularly known as the Spin King of cricket. He was the master of leg-spin bowling, and he picked up a total of 1001 wickets in his international career. He was at the centre of many controversies about his affairs with many women despite being married. He is credited for popularising spin bowling in cricket and was the first bowler to take 700 test wickets. He died in 2022 after suffering a heart attack.
Wiki/Biography
Shane Warne was born on Saturday, 13 September 1969 (age 52 years; at the time of death) in the Upper Ferntree Gully suburb of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia. His zodiac sign was Virgo. He attended Hampton High School till 9th grade after which he was offered a sports scholarship so he then attended Mentone Grammar, Melbourne for further schooling till 12th standard. He trained at Cricket Australia Academy under coach Terry Jenner and Australian legend Jack Potter. He played both cricket and rugby before quitting rugby in 1989 and focusing on cricket.
Shane Warne during his childhood with his brother
Shane Warne (holding ball) during his growing years
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 6′ 0″
Weight (approx.): 85 kg
Hair Colour: Blonde
Eye Colour: Right eye light blue and left eye green (Heterochromia)
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest: 42 Inches, Waist: 34 inches, Biceps: 14 Inches
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name was Keith Warne, and his mother’s name was Bridgette Warne, who was a German. She relocated to Australia when she was 4 years old. His brother, Jason Warne, is a blogger and entrepreneur.
Shane Warne with his father, Keith Warne and mother, Bridgette Warne
Shane Warne’s brother Jason Warne (right) gifting Shane’s ball to Jay Shah, secretary of BCCI
Wife & Children
Shane got married to Simone Callahan, who is an Australian yoga and fitness trainer in 1995. The couple became parents to a boy named Jackson Warne and two girls named Brooke Warne and Summer Warne. Later, the couple divorced in 2005. Reportedly, the divorce was initiated by Simone because of her knowledge of Shane’s infidelity and extramarital affairs. Shane and Simone gave another chance to their relationship in April 2007 but they again broke up 5 months later when Warne accidentally sent her a text that was meant for another woman.
Shane Warne with his ex-wife Simone Callahan
Shane Warne’s daughters, Brooke Warne, Summer Warne, Shane Warne, and his son, Jackson Warne (left to right)
Relationships/Affairs
In 2003, it was alleged that he had a three-month affair with Australian stripper Angela Gallagher, a mother of two kids, from May 2003. In 2005, he had a two-month affair with an English girl named Kerrie Collimore whom he met at a nightclub in Southampton. It was alleged that he had an affair with his British secretary Michelle Masters which she denied. In 2006, he was allegedly caught flirting with Love Island contestant Lucie Donlan on Instagram who was 21 years old at that time. In 2010, Shane started dating Elizabeth Hurley, who is an English actress and model. Shane got engaged to Hurley in 2011; however, the couple broke up in December 2013.
Shane Warne with his former fiancée, Elizabeth Hurley
He dated model and DJ Emily Scott for three months before splitting up in September 2014. In 2015, it was alleged that he was dating Australian Television presenter and sports journalist Neroli Meadows as the couple was seen leaving the Ivy nightclub in Sydney.
Shane Warne with his alleged girlfriend, Neroli Meadows
In 2016, there were rumours that he was dating American student Kathryn Long who was in her early 20s. In March 2017, it was reported that he was dating an Australian model and social media influencer named Emily Sears. It was reported in 2019 that he had a sex party with two escorts and his lover at his Maida Vale home in London. It was alleged that he also had affairs with 25-year-old student Laura Sayers of London, 20-year-old archaeology student Rebecca Weeden, 20-year-old Lisa Ramsden of Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, Gemma Hayley, Julia Reynolds, and English hairdresser Jackie Coo.
Autograph
Shane Warne’s autograph
Career
Domestic
Shane Warne started playing club cricket for St Kilda Cricket Club located near his home suburb Black Rock in the 1984-85 season. In 1990, he started training at the Australian Cricket Academy in Adelaide. He started playing for Victoria in February 1991. He toured Zimbabwe in September 1991 as a member of the Australia B team. In December 1991, he played for the Australia A team.
International
Tests
He played his debut test match on 2 January 1992 against India at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney and took 1 wicket for 150 runs. In December 1992, he took 7 wickets for 52 runs in the second innings of the test against West Indies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne and took 8 wickets for 117 runs in the match. In February 1993, he took 7 wickets for 86 runs in a test match against New Zealand at AMI Stadium, Christchurch. In March 1993, he took 4 wickets for 8 runs in the first innings of the test match against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland and took 6 wickets for 62 runs in the match. In June 1993, he took 4 wickets for 51 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 86 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. In a later test in the same month, he took 4 wickets for 57 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 102 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Lord’s, London. In July 1993, he took 3 wickets for 74 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 108 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. In August 1993, he took 5 wickets for 82 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham and took 6 wickets for 145 runs in the match. In November 1993, he took 6 wickets for 31 runs in the second innings of the test match against New Zealand at Bellerive Oval, Hobart and took 9 wickets for 67 runs in the match. In December 1993, he took 4 wickets for 66 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 59 runs in the second innings of the test match against New Zealand at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane. In the same match, he made his first test half-century and scored 74 runs not.
Shane Warne during his early playing days
In January 1994, he took 7 wickets for 56 runs in the first innings and 5 wickets for 72 runs in the second innings of the test match against South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. In March 1994, he took 3 wickets for 78 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 38 runs in the second innings against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. In September 1994, he scored 3 wickets for 61 runs in the first innings and 5 wickets for 89 runs in the second innings against Pakistan at National Stadium, Karachi. In November 1994, he took 6 wickets for 136 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 104 runs in the second innings against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. In a later test in the same month, he took 3 wickets for 39 runs in the first innings and 8 wickets for 71 runs in the second innings against Pakistan at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane. In December 1994, he took 6 wickets for 64 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 16 runs in the second innings against England at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne; he took a hattrick in the match. In April 1995, he took 2 wickets for 72 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 70 runs in the second innings of the test match against West Indies at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. In November 1995, he took 7 wickets for 23 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 54 runs in the second innings of the test match against Pakistan at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane. In a later test in the same month, he took 4 wickets for 55 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 66 runs in the second innings of the test match against Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. In November 1996, he took 3 wickets for 65 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 95 runs in the second innings of the test match against West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. In January 1997, he took 3 wickets for 42 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 68 runs in the second innings of the test match against Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. In July 1997, he took 6 wickets for 48 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 63 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. In August 1997, he took 4 wickets for 86 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 43 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. In November 1997, he took 4 wickets for 106 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 54 runs in the second innings of the test match against New Zealand at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane. In January 1998, he took 5 wickets for 75 runs in the first innings and 6 wickets for 34 runs in the second innings of the test match against South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. In October 1999, he took 3 wickets for 69 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 68 runs in the second innings of the test match against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare. In November 1999, he took 3 wickets for 45 runs in the first innings and 5 wickets for 110 runs in the second innings of the test match against Pakistan at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. In December 1999, he took 4 wickets for 92 runs in the first innings and 2 wickets for 21 runs in the second innings of the test match against India at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. In March 2000, he took 4 wickets for 68 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 92 runs in the second innings of the test match against New Zealand at Basin Reserve, Wellington. In July 2001, he took 5 wickets for 71 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 29 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. In August 2001, he took 2 wickets for 37 runs in the first innings and 6 wickets for 33 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. In a later test match in the same month, he took 7 wickets for 165 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 64 runs in the second innings against England at Kennington Oval, London. In November 2001, he made his highest test score of 99 runs against New Zealand at WACA Ground, Perth. In December 2001, he took 5 wickets for 113 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 57 runs in the second innings of the test match against South Africa at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. In January 2002, he took 3 wickets for 47 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 132 runs in the second innings of the test match against South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. In February 2002, he took 2 wickets for 26 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 44 runs in the second innings of the test match against South Africa at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. In March 2002, he took 2 wickets for 70 runs in the first innings and 6 wickets for 161 runs in the second innings of the test match against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. In a test match later in the same month, he took 4 wickets for 133 runs in the first innings and 2 wickets for 108 runs in the second innings against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban. In October 2002, he took 7 wickets for 94 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 94 runs in the second innings of the test match against Pakistan at P Sara Oval, Colombo. In a test match later in the same month, he took 4 wickets for 11 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 13 runs in the second innings against Pakistan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. In a test match later in the same month, he took 5 wickets for 74 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 56 runs in the second innings against Pakistan at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. In November 2002, he took 4 wickets for 93 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 36 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. In March 2004, he took 5 wickets for 116 runs in the first innings and 5 wickets for 43 runs in the second innings of the test match against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium, Galle. In a test match later in the same month, he took 5 wickets for 65 runs in the first innings and 5 wickets for 90 runs in the second innings against Sri Lanka at Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy. In a test match later in the same month, he took 2 wickets for 115 runs in the first inning and 4 wickets for 92 runs in the second innings against Sri Lanka at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo. In July 2004, he took 3 wickets for 129 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 70 runs in the second innings of the test match against Sri Lanka at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns. In October 2004, he took 6 wickets for 115 runs in the first innings of the test match against India at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. In November 2004, he took 4 wickets for 97 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 15 runs in the second innings of the test match against New Zealand at Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane. In December 2004, he took 3 wickets for 103 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 66 runs in the second innings of the test match against Pakistan at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. In March 2005, he took 2 wickets for 112 runs in the first innings and 5 wickets for 39 runs in the second innings of the test match against New Zealand at AMI Stadium, Christchurch. In a test match later in the same month, he took 3 wickets for 63 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 77 runs in the second innings of the test match against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland. In July 2005, he took 2 wickets for 19 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 64 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Lord’s, London. In August 2005, he took 4 wickets for 116 runs in the first innings and 6 wickets for 46 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. In a test match later in the same month, he took 4 wickets for 102 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 31 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. In September 2005, he took 6 wickets for 122 runs in the first innings and 6 wickets for 124 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Kennington Oval, London. In October 2005, he took 3 wickets for 23 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 48 runs in the second innings of the test match against ICC World XI at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. In November 2005, he took 1 wicket for 77 runs in the first innings and 6 wickets for 80 runs in the second innings of the test match against West Indies at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. In December 2005, he took 3 wickets for 92 runs in the first innings and 3 wickets for 83 runs in the second innings of a test match against South Africa at WACA Ground, Perth. In a test match later in the same month, he took 2 wickets for 62 runs in the first innings and 4 wickets for 74 runs in the second innings of a test match against South Africa at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. In March 2006, he took 2 wickets for 80 runs in the first innings and 6 wickets for 86 runs in the second innings of the test match against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban. In April 2006, he took 3 wickets for 147 runs in the first innings and 5 wickets for 113 runs in the second innings of the test match against Bangladesh at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong. In December 2006, he took 5 wickets for 39 runs in the first innings and 2 wickets for 46 runs in the second innings of the test match against England at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. He played his last test match on 2 January 2007 against England at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney and scored 71 runs and took 1 wicket for 69 runs in the first innings and 1 wicket for 23 runs in the second innings of the match. He took more than 100 wickets against three teams which included the maximum number of wickets against England as he took 195 wickets against them followed by 130 wickets against South Africa and 103 wickets against New Zealand. His best bowling average of 20.18 was against Pakistan, and his highest bowling average of 47.19 was against India.
Shane Warne during his last test match
Shane Warne was carried by his Australian teammates after his last test match
ODIs
Shane Warne played his debut ODI match on 24 March 1993 against New Zealand at Basin Reserve, Wellington and took 2 wickets for 40 runs. On 12 December 1993, he took 4 wickets for 25 runs against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. On 16 December 1993, he took 4 wickets for 19 runs against New Zealand at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. On 22 February 1994, he took 4 wickets for 36 runs against South Africa at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. On 4 April 1994, he made his maiden fifty by scoring 55 runs against South Africa at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. On 16 April 1994, he took 4 wickets for 34 runs against New Zealand at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. On 18 October 1994, he took 4 wickets for 40 runs against South Africa at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. On 8 December 1996, he achieved his maiden and only 5 wicket haul in ODIs for 33 runs against West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. On 15 December 1996, he took 4 wickets for 52 runs against Pakistan at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. On 1 January 1997, he took 4 wickets for 37 runs against Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. On 9 February 2001, he took 4 wickets for 48 runs against West Indies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. He played his last ODI match on 10 January 2005 against ICC World XI at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. He won 13 Man of the Match awards. He took more than 50 wickets against two teams which included the maximum number of wickets against South Africa as he took 60 wickets against them followed by 50 wickets against West Indies. His best bowling average of 10.90 was against India, and his highest bowling average of 22.00 was against West Indies.
1996 & 1999 World Cup
Shane Warne played in the 1996 World Cup in which Australia lost to Sri Lanka in the final and the 1999 World Cup won by Australia. In the 1996 World Cup, he played in all seven matches, scored 32 runs and emerged as the highest wicket-taker for his team with 12 wickets including two 4-wicket hauls, one against Zimbabwe in the group stage and the other against West Indies in the semifinal. He won the Man of the Match award in both matches. In the 1999 World Cup, he played in all ten matches, scored 34 runs and emerged as the highest wicket-taker for his team and of the tournament with 20 wickets including two 4-wicket hauls, one against South Africa in the semi-final and the other against Pakistan in the final. He won the Man of the Match award in both semi-final and final matches.
Shane Warne with the 1999 World Cup Trophy
Vice-Captaincy & Captaincy
Shane Warne was appointed as Vice-Captain of Australia in the 1999-2000 Ashes series; however, he was removed from vice-captaincy in August 2000 after the controversy regarding sending lewd messages to a married English nurse. He captained Australia in 11 ODIs in absence of the regular skipper on various occasions and won 10 and lost one.
Indian Premier League (IPL) & Big Bash League (BBL)
Shane Warne joined Rajasthan Royals as the captain cum coach in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 and captained them in 2009, 2010, and 2011 seasons. He led Rajasthan Royals to victory in the 2008 season as they became the champions. In the inaugural season of BBL in November 2011, he was signed by Melbourne Stars and captained them in the 2011 and 2012 seasons before retiring in 2013.
Shane Warne with Rajasthan Royals teammates after winning IPL 2008
County
In 2000, he joined Hampshire County Cricket team and played for them till the 2007 season.
Jersey Number
Shane Warne’s jersey number was 23 in all formats of cricket, and he wore 23 number in all the teams he ever played for. It is said that he was a fan of Basketball legend Michael Jordan who wore the number 23 number jersey. According to former Australian captain Michael Clarke who wore 49 number jersey, Warne gave him his 23 number to play in ODIs as he recognised his talent very early in Clarke’s career.
Shane Warne ODI jersey
Retirement
He retired from international cricket after the 2006-07 Ashes; however, he continued to play club cricket. In July 2013, he retired from all forms of cricket.
Commentary
He became a commentator after his retirement and worked for Nine Network till 2005. He rejoined Nine Network in 2008 and worked for them till 2018. He also joined Sky Sports in 2009 and Fox Cricket in 2018 and worked for both till his death.
Shane Warne (right) commentating during a match
TV Shows
He made a cameo in the Australian TV show Kath & Kim in 2007. He also appeared in the BBC Television panel game show A Question of Sport, taking on the captaincy for three shows and appearing regularly. He hosted a chat show named Warnie on Nine Network in which he interviewed Australian billionaire businessman and investor James Packer, Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, and singers Chris Martin and Susan Boyle. He also promoted the hair-loss-recovery company Advanced Hair. In 2016, he also appeared in Channel Ten’s TV show I’m A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here.
Shane Warne during the shoot of the TV show I’m A Celebrity. Get Me Out Of Here
Philanthropy
He founded a not-for-profit organisation named Shane Warne Foundation in 2004, to help seriously ill and underprivileged children and teenagers, which was closed in 2017 after a controversy over its finances. His foundation donated AU$ 20,000 to help rebuild the Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka after Tsunami in 2004. He also joined Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan to help Sri Lankans who were affected.
Records
- He won the third-highest overall and the highest number of Man of the Match awards (17) for any Australian player in tests. He also won the third-highest overall and the highest number of Man of the Series awards for any Australian player (8) in tests.
- He scored the maximum runs in tests without a hundred.
- He got out for the fifth-highest number of ducks (34) in tests.
- He took the maximum number of wickets (96 wickets in 2005) in a calendar year in tests.
- He took the second-highest number of 10-wicket hauls (10) in tests.
- He bowled the third-highest number of deliveries (40705) in tests.
- He conceded the third-highest number of runs (17995) in tests.
- He took the second-highest number of wickets taken by stumping (36) in tests.
- He is the first bowler to take 600 and 700 test wickets.
- He took the third-highest number of wickets in ODIs (62 wickets in 1999) in a calendar year.
- He was the only Australian bowler to take more than 50 wickets in ODIs in two calendar years(1994 and 1999).
- He took the maximum number of consecutive 4-wicket hauls in consecutive matches (3) in ODIs.
- He took the second-highest number of wickets (50) by stumping in ODIs.
- He was the sixth bowler and the first Australian bowler to take 250 wickets in ODIs. He was also the fifth-fastest bowler and second-fastest Australian bowler to take 250 ODI wickets.
- He holds the record for the highest partnership for Australia for the eighth wicket in ODIs. On 4 April 1994, he added 119 runs for the eighth wicket with Paul Reiffel against South Africa at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth.
Batting & Fielding
Test
- Maximum catches in a match: 4
- Maximum catches in an inning: 3
ODIs
- Maximum catches in a match: 3
Bowling
Tests
- Best bowling figures in an inning: 8 wickets for 71 runs
- Best bowling figures in a match: 12 wickets for 128 runs
ODIs
- Best bowling figures in a match: 5 wickets for 33 runs
Injuries
In May 1996, he underwent surgery on the ring finger of his right hand which was damaged by the wear and tear of bowling for many years. In May 1998, he underwent surgery on the rotator cuff tendon of his right shoulder which was damaged by bowling for many years. He made a return after 7 months. In September 2000, a kneehole surgery was done on his right knee which was damaged by wear and tear from playing for many years. In October 2000, he suffered a fractured dislocation of the ring finger on his right hand while taking a catch at first slip to dismiss New South Wales Test batsman Mark Waugh in the Sheffield Shield Trophy. Surgery was done later, and two pins were inserted into his broken finger.
Controversies
Sledging Andrew Hudson
In 1994, he was playing against South Africa in Johannesburg in a test match. After dismissing South African player Andrew Hudson, he started hurling abuses towards him after which Hudson also became very hungry, and it seemed like a physical fight would start between them. He was fined £220 by the match referee and a whole match fee of £2000 by Cricket Australia. He was also booed by the local crowd. Warne also regretted his behaviour and apologised to Hudson later.
The Bookmaker John
In 1994, Shane was found guilty of disclosing information related to the pitch and weather to an Indian bookie named John, an alias of the infamous bookmaker Mukesh Gupta. in exchange for money. The events were swept under the rug by the Australian Cricket Board, which decided that it was sufficient to fine the players privately; however, the matter came to light in late 1998, and the press and public widely condemned him. Moreover, it raised questions on the credibility of his claims in 1994 against Pakistani cricket captain Saleem Malik of attempting to bribe him to lose matches.
Attacking Ranatunga in his article
Shane Warne wrote an article for the newspaper The Times in which he attacked the Sri Lankan skipper at that time, Arjuna Ranatunga. He wrote that Sri Lanka and cricket would be better without Ranatunga, criticised his style of play, and raised questions about his sportsmanship. He was fined 50% of his match fee for the 1999 World Cup match against Scotland. He was also given a ban of 2 ODIs which was to be enforced if he breached any code of conduct in 6 months.
Threatening a boy after clicked smoking
In 2000, during Australia’s opening match of the series against New Zealand, a 15-year-old boy clicked a photograph of him smoking a cigarette. Allegedly, Warne had a contract with a nicotine gum maker of £80,000 to quit smoking for four months and also took part in a publicly sponsored bid to quit smoking. He threatened the boy to give the film to him, and the police intervened to settle the dispute between them.
Lost Vice-captaincy
In 2000, Shane was accused of sending lewd messages to a married nurse named Donna Wright whom he met in a Leicester nightclub. This news made him lose his vice-captaincy at that time. He was also addressed as Shame Warne by the British press.
Failed Drug Test
During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, on the eve of the fourth match of the tournament, Australia’s opening game against Pakistan in Johannesburg, the Australian Cricket Board announced in a press conference that Warne was returning home due to failing a routine drug test after which he was banned for one year. The report of the test disclosed that Warne took a diuretic known as Moduretic, which is a banned drug because of its ability to mask the use of steroids and is used in the treatment of hypertension, high blood pressure, and fluid retention. Upon returning to Melbourne, he confessed in an interview that his mother gave him the pill on 22 January 2003 to make him look good as the pill helps in weight shedding. He said,
Contrary to speculation, taking it had nothing to do with the treatment for my shoulder injury or for masking any banned substance,”
Sending Lewd messages to a South African woman
It was revealed in 2003 that he sent lewd messages to a married South African woman named Helen Cohen Alon, a mother of three kids, after meeting her at a party. She alleged that he called her more than 40 times and sent lewd messages to her. She also alleged that Warne’s associate Gavin Varejes offered her 200,000 rands ($ 42,000) to become silent on the matter and was attacked by one of Warne’s fans.
Nudity & Sex Scandal
In 2006, Warne’s name came up in a sex scandal. His nude pictures with MTV presenters and models named Coralie Echholtz and Emma Kearney went viral and were also printed in a British magazine.
Fights against John Buchanan
Shane Warne did not agree with the Australian coach John Buchanan’s views and often raised the point that John never played for Australia. He often disagreed with John’s views on different games. Former Australian captain Michael Clarke said during an interview that once during a training camp, John told everyone that they could carry only a few items with them. Warne, who was addicted to smoking, was adamant about carrying his cigarettes with him. When John told him that he would have to leave a few things behind, Warne left behind his 3 pairs of socks and 3 underwear to carry 6 packs of cigarettes.
Fined $50,000 in IPL
In 2011, Warne was fined $ 50,000 and narrowly escaped a one-match ban when he publicly insulted RCA secretary, Sanjay Dixit, after an IPL match in Jaipur, calling him a liar and egoistic.
Sledging Marlon Samuels
In January 2013, Shane Warne was fined AUD 4,500 for misconduct during the match of Melbourne Stars against Melbourne Renegades in the domestic Big Bash tournament. It started with sledging between Warne and West Indies player, Marlon Samuels. Warne was found guilty of 3 out of the 4 offences. He was charged with using obscene language, deliberate physical contact, and showing dissent at an umpire’s decision; however, he was cleared of the charge of throwing the ball in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner.
Shane Warne pointing a finger at Marlon Samuels
Shane Warne holding the t-shirt of Marlon Samuels
False Accusation of Violence
Shane Warne was accused of hitting porn star, Valerie Fox in September 2017. Valerie also filed an official complaint against him and dissed him in a series of tweets; however, the cricketer got saved when all the allegations got removed by the Police.
Proud of yourself? Hitting a woman? Vile creature. pic.twitter.com/RRnn3Ycfjp
— Valerie Fox (@ValerieFoxxx) September 23, 2017
Awards, Honours, & Achievements
- His first delivery in the 1993 Ashes tour of England to English batsman Mike Gatting is called Ball of the Century
- One of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in the 1994 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack
- Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 1997 and 2004
- Men’s ODI Player of the Year by Cricket Australia in 2000
- Voted one of Wisden magazine’s five “Cricketers of the Century” in 2000
- Chosen as 4th greatest cricketer of all time by ESPN in 2000
- Chosen in World Test XI by ICC for performances in 2004
- Chosen in Richie Benaud’s Greatest XI in 2004
- Chosen in World Test XI by ICC for performances in 2005
- BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year in 2005
- Chosen in World Test XI by ICC and Cricinfo for performances in 2005
- Men’s Test Player of the Year by Cricket Australia in 2006
- Chosen in the Greatest ODI XI of all time by Cricket Australia in 2007
- Chosen as 3rd greatest bowler in tests by Wisden
- Awarded honorary life membership of Marylebone Cricket Club in 2009
- The Statue of Shane Warne was unveiled outside Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia on 22 December 2011
Shane Warne’s statue at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
- A grandstand at the Rose Bowl, home of Hampshire County Cricket Club, named the Shane Warne Stand in 2012
- Chosen in Wisden All-time Test World XI in 2013
- Inducted into the Cricket Australia’s Hall of Fame in 2012
- Inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame at Lord’s on July 19, 2013
- Named in Australia’s best Ashes XI of the previous 40 years by a fan poll conducted by Cricketers Almanack in 2017
- Great Southern Stand at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia renamed Shane Warne Stand in March 2022
- Posthumously appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his service to cricket and philanthropic contributions in June 2022
- Cricket Australia renamed its Men’s Test Player of the Year award as Shane Warne Men’s Test Player of the Year award in December 2022
- Elevated to a Legend in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in December 2022
Car Collection
Shane Warne had a collection of over 20 cars. According to Warne, he got his love for cars from his father who taught him to drive a car when he was 17. His first car was a Ford TC Cortina with hotted-up magnesium alloy wheels. In 1996, he purchased a Ferrari 355 Spider, which he sold in 2001 and bought a Ferrari 360 Spider in titanium. He also had three Mercedes cars including a Mercedes Benz limited edition 1 C63S, two BMWs, a Bugatti Veyron which he purchased in the year 2008, an F-type Jaguar, a Holden VK Commodore, a Bentley Continental Supersports car, Lamborghini Murcielago, and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera.
Shane Warne in one of his cars
Net Worth
At the time of his death, he had a net worth of 50 million dollars (Rs 385 crores).
Death
Shane Warne died on 4 March 2022, at the age of 52 due to natural causes. He was at a villa on the island of Ko Samui in Thailand at the time of his death. His body was returned to Melbourne on a private plane from Thailand six days after his death. He was honoured at a state funeral at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 30 March 2022. When the news of his demise came, cricketers, athletes, and various celebrities from all over the world took to Twitter to express their grief and shock at the passing of the legend.
Indian team paying tribute to Shane Warne and wearing black armbands
Facts/Trivia
- His nicknames were Warnie, Warney, Hollywood, and Sunshine. He was also known as The Murali of Melbourne.
- In 2007, he said in an interview that he wanted to know if he qualified for a German passport so that he could play for the Hampshire County team as a non-overseas player; however, he stated after a few days that he would not take German citizenship and would always remain an Australian.
- In September 2016, a television film about Warne’s relationships was announced. Seven Network cancelled the project in the pre-production phase in June 2017.
- His death came on the same day as that of fellow Australian cricketer Rod Marsh, to whom Warne paid tribute on Twitter only a few hours prior to his own death.
- He struggled with weight issues throughout his life. In his debut test match in 1992, he weighed 97 kg.
- He played his first and last test match on the same ground, which was Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia.
- He almost became a professional Rugby player and was almost selected for the Senior Rugby team of St Kilda Club Football senior team in early 1989 as he was playing for the under-19 team; however, when he was not selected, he quit Rugby and started solely focusing on cricket. He played rugby after retiring from cricket as an amateur.
Shane Warne (centre) during a rugby match
- He liked playing golf and was an avid golfer.
Shane Warne playing golf
- He was addicted to smoking.
- In September 2022, Nine Network announced that it would be making a two-part biopic about Warne’s life titled Warnie; however, the project was shelved after the insistence of family and friends of Warne who said it would be too soon and deemed it a bit insensitive.
- In 1998 Australia’s tour of India, he got cans of baked beans and spaghetti flown to him as he was having problems with spicy Indian food.
- His favourite cricketer while growing up was West Indies cricketer Vivian Richards.
- He regarded Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies batsman Brian Lara as one of the best batsmen he ever bowled against.
Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, and Brian Lara (left to right)
- He designed a Hotwheels car which contained his jersey number 23 on it.
- On 28 November 2021, he met with an accident when he was riding his motorcycle, and his son Jackson was sitting in the rear seat. His 300 kg bike slipped and slid for 15 meters. He was left badly bruised and sore; however, he did not sustain any serious injury.
- He was so impressed by the collection of Dharamvir Duggal, an autograph collector, who has a collection of autographs of many great players including Brian Lara, Clive Lloyd, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Yuvraj Singh, Sir Garry Sobers, Ramiz Raja, and Viv Richards that he gave him a signed copy of his autobiography.
- In February 2022, a few days before his death, he was contemplating coaching England’s national cricket team.
- He has written many books which include his autobiography titled Shane Warne: My Own Story, Shane Warne: my autobiography, My illustrated career, Shane Warne’s Century: My Top 100 Test Cricketers, and No Spin released On 1 October 2018.
Shane Warne with his book No Spin
- He launched his own wine bottles in 2002 named 2002 Shane Warne Cabernet Merlot and 2002 Shane Warne Cabernet Merlot Petit Verdot. He also had a gin named 708 after his 708 test wickets which won the Gold Medal in the Australian Gin Awards in 2019.
Shane Warne with the Gold award won by his Gin brand bottle 708
- He once broke both his legs when a child jumped upon him from a height and landed on his back. It was said that due to using a wheelchair for a few months as he was unable to walk on his legs, his fingers and wrist became very strong.
- He launched his own perfume brand named SW23 by Shane Warne 100ml Eau de Toilette in 2021.
- In August 2021, he tested positive for Covid-19 and was put on a ventilator after experiencing repeated headaches; however, he did not suffer any serious health complications. He tested positive for Covid-19 again after a few months.
- He had a very close friendship with Australian player Andrew Symonds who passed away six weeks after Warne’s death. Australian player Adam Gilchrist once revealed during an interview that Warne wanted Symonds to be his assistant coach during his coaching stint in 2019 at London Spirit, a team in England’s new 100-ball cricket tournament. When no budget was set for Symonds’s role, Warne paid Symonds from his own purse.
- Australian player Adam Gilchrist claimed during an interview that Warne was an extremely generous man and revealed that Warne once arranged a free helicopter and free rounds of golf for a few English players in an exclusive golf club in Melbourne. He further added that when his knee was injured in 1997, he was flying home with Warne as Warne’s daughter Brooke was just born. Warne upgraded Gilchrist to a first-class seat using his own points without asking anything from him in return.
- He liked playing poker and signed a two-year agreement with 888poker in January 2008 to represent them at international poker events, including the Aussie Millions, World Series of Poker and the 888 UK Poker Open; however, he represented them for seven years before parting ways with them in January 2015.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education