Just read Shane Warne’s (the great legspinner) very entertaining and insightful autobiography. Well to be more accurate – listened to it on Audible (much more comfortable way to digest a book pool-side in the Portuguese sunshine.

Gatting ball

Cricket, like all sports, needs it larger than life personalities – and Warne has been this, ever since the ‘Gatting ball’ (when he bowled Mike Gatting behind his legs with his first ball in the Ashes). He has been as – if not more influential, that the Bothams and Richards of my youth.

Firstly Warne brought wrist spin back to the fore. And – over a very long career – took over 700 Test wickets. But he was also interesting – liked to have fun, in the face of opponents, highly strung, and involved in a number of controversies. But at the end of all this his competitiveness, skill and playing record do the talking.

Technique

Without giving away all the secrets he does give a good insight into what he was doing to create the leg breaks, the flipper, the googly, etc. And for any of who have tried all of this at the nets (why not since I could not bowl anything else either) – we have some appreciation of the skills and effort required to deliver consistent wrist spinning (Shane is at pains to point out the difference between slow bowling and spin bowling – without rubbishing slow (accurate) bowling. And the mental effort – the battle with the batsman, figuring out the batsman’s mindset and approach.

Great perspective on Kerry Packer and his son. Big fan and believes all professional cricketers owe KP a huge debt. Likewise huge admirer of Richie Benaud.

Many years ago I had the good forunate to be staying in the same hotel as the Australian Cricket Tet team – and was there fore breakfast. Warne has very warm words fro Merv Hughes and Allan Border. Could not agree more – and they were true to form that morning at breakfast.

No saint – and he puts his hand up for an amount fo the trouble and stress he has caused. In particular very sensitive about his marriage, divorce, subsequent engagement (and breakup) with Liz Hurley – but mainly from the perspective of hurt to his children.

Future focus for test cricket

All in all this is a very good read for anyone who has followed cricket over the last 25 years. He has been one of the greats. And he is not short on a few ideas to address some of the challenges facing cricket worldwide – without, in any way, being against the progress seen through workdcups, 20-20, the Indian Leagues etc. Very much a man for the future – looking for ways to protect and sustain test cricket.