Did Shane Warne save test cricket?

[Twodogs]

At the end of the '80s cricket was boring. We got force fed a stream of mediocre medium pacers that limited batsmens shots but did little else.


Then at the start of the new decade a podgy kid with a mullet got into the Australian team. Has their ever been a less likely sporting superstar than Warnie? He was the first sportsman my son could identify but his rise to the team and then to the top of crickets mountain had lots of setbacks-suspended from the Australian Cricket Academy, a lack of success and self belief(yes, Warnie suffered from a lack of confidence!) He also had battles with his weight, authority, his wife, authority, WADA, authority, communication devices, bookmakers, authority and problems in his private life, together with a choice of playing football or cricket as a teenager which could have dreailed his cricvket career.

This man was Warnie. Did he save the game?

[Dry Rot]

At the end of the '80s cricket was boring. We got force fed a stream of mediocre medium pacers that limited batsmens shots but did little else.




Ambrose and friends?

[Sunshine]

I have to think that Warne probably got people back interested in cricket. For a while there those medium pacers threatened to destroy test cricket. Warne's positive impact on cricket I don't think is fully appreciated.


One other thing worth mentioning that we were also blessed by a number of captains that decided to start to playing for wins instead of boring run fest draws. These captains basically allowed stars like Warne, Lara and Tendulkar to showcase their talents which dragged people back to the game.

[Sockeye Salmon]

I lived through the Mike Brearley era. If ever there was a case of taking the law into your own hands, that was it.

[Dry Rot]

I lived through the Mike Brearley era. If ever there was a case of taking the law into your own hands, that was it.

IIIRC he was a kind of Davis Cup non-playing captain who somehow got let out on the field.

IIRC he was good captain but not much of a batsman or fielder.

[GVGjr]

IIIRC he was a kind of Davis Cup non-playing captain who somehow got let out on the field.

IIRC he was good captain but not much of a batsman or fielder.

Brilliant tactical captain and below average opening bat. I think from memory he had some type of helmet when he batted that covered his temples.

[Twodogs]

Brilliant tactical captain and below average opening bat. I think from memory he had some type of helmet when he batted that covered his temples.



He could have batted with a blindfold on and it wouldnt have meade much difference to his technique.




He had courage though.

[GVGjr]

He could have batted with a blindfold on and it wouldnt have meade much difference to his technique.




He had courage though.


Did he used to stand there with the bat already raised before the ball was bowled?

[Twodogs]

Did he used to stand there with the bat already raised before the ball was bowled?


Yep. Funny thing is that he'd rarely employ the bloody thing. He'd leave any ball it was possible to leave, let the ball hit his body as the first line of defence and only use the bat as a last measure. I also think he's Geoff Boycott (my second favorite ever international cricketer) longest serving opening batting partner.



The thing is he was a crap cricketer but a brilliant leader of men. The miracle he performed in '81 could well see him sanctified when he dies. Bringing all those egos into check inside a few days of appointment and then winning two test matches on the trot is an astonishing acheivment.

[The Coon Dog]

Geoff Boycott (my second favorite ever international cricketer)

Who's your favourite?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Who's your favourite?

Chris Tavere?

Maybe Twodogs values a solid defence?

[Twodogs]

Who's your favourite?


1/ Inzy

2/ Boycott

3/ Majid Khan

4/ Abdul Qadir

5/ Sharif Afridi

6/ Derek Randall

7/ Cilve Lloyd

8/ John Snow

9/ Derek Underwood

10/ Garth Le Roux

[Sockeye Salmon]

1/ Inzy

2/ Boycott

3/ Majid Khan

4/ Abdul Qadir

5/ Sharif Afridi

6/ Derek Randall

7/ Cilve Lloyd

8/ John Snow

9/ Derek Underwood

10/ Garth Le Roux

How can you have Geoff Boycott and Shahid Afridi on the same list?

I agree with most of them but I'd throw in Zaheer Abbas, Bishen Bedi, Bangwat Changarkara, Richie Richardson, IVA Richards, Graham Pollock, David Gower & Mike Gatting

[The Coon Dog]

How can you have Geoff Boycott and Shahid Afridi on the same list?

I agree with most of them but I'd throw in Zaheer Abbas, Bishen Bedi, Bangwat Changarkara, Richie Richardson, IVA Richards, Graham Pollock, David Gower & Mike Gatting
All good, but I also like Gordon Greenidge, Javed Miandad, Andy Roberts, Roy Fredricks, Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan, Joel Garner & Alan Knott.

[Sockeye Salmon]

All good, but I also like Gordon Greenidge, Javed Miandad, Andy Roberts, Roy Fredricks, Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan, Joel Garner & Alan Knott.

Great get.

I remember him hooking Dennis Lillee for 6 first over of the Perth test in 75-76

[The Coon Dog]

Great get.

I remember him hooking Dennis Lillee for 6 first over of the Perth test in 75-76

Did he hit a 6 in the first World Cup final & stand on his stumps whilst playing the shot?

He was a dead set thrashing machine!

[Twodogs]

Did he hit a 6 in the first World Cup final & stand on his stumps whilst playing the shot?

He was a dead set thrashing machine!


Yep he sure did. Talk about an annoying dismissal.

[Twodogs]

How can you have Geoff Boycott and Shahid Afridi on the same list?





You know me well enough to know how contrary I like to be. Does it really suprise you?

[BulldogBelle]

He also had battles with his weight, authority, his wife, authority, WADA, authority, communication devices, bookmakers, authority and problems in his private life, together with a choice of playing football or cricket as a teenager which could have dreailed his cricvket career.

Yes, the communciation devices have made qute a huge impact on his life, he has probably perfected the art of SMS speak.

In saying all of that I have always been a Warne fan and have enjoyed watching his career.

[Dry Rot]

1/ Inzy

2/ Boycott

3/ Majid Khan

4/ Abdul Qadir

5/ Sharif Afridi

6/ Derek Randall

7/ Cilve Lloyd

8/ John Snow

9/ Derek Underwood

10/ Garth Le Roux

Good to see that you've chosen 4 who have played for the only team with Allah on its side.

You will go to paradise. :D