To him, dominating a batsman was as much about getting into his mind as bowling an unplayable delivery. But the mind games were nothing without his remarkable skill and dexterity
no more enigmatic skill in all of sport than leg-spin bowling. To be a “leggie” a cricketer does not need the lithe athleticism of a fast bowler, capable of hurling a ball at a cowering batsman at 140km an hour. Nor can he rely on the monotony of the off-spinner, whose trade depends on landing the ball in the same spot, time after time, spinning the ball just enough to dissuade the batsman from taking a risk against him. Rather, leg-spinners are cricket’s magicians.
Consider Mr Warne’s first ball in a Test match in England, against Australia’s old enemy. It is perhaps the most famous delivery in the history of the game. It came in 1993, at Old Trafford in Manchester. Ambling up to bowl, Mr Warne drifted the ball several feet to the left of the batsman’s legs—so wide, in fact, that the hapless striker, Mike Gatting, merely peered at it disdainfully. To his horror the ball then spat across him, knocking the top of his off stump.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Legendary Australian spin bowler Shane Warne dies suddenly aged 52Warne is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time
Read more »
Tributes paid to 'greatest showman' WarneAustralia Test captain Pat Cummins calls Shane Warne a 'once-in-a-century cricketer' as he leads tributes to the iconic leg-spinner who died on Friday aged 52.
Read more »
Warne was 'entertainer, inspiration and amazing guy', says close friend NicholasMark Nicholas paid tribute to his close friend Shane Warne who sadly passed away at the age of 52. The Australian cricket legend will be remembered as one of the greatest to play the game, but was …
Read more »
Warne transcended sport and counted Tyson, MJ, Ed Sheeran and Kylie among friendsShane Warne was a larger-than-life figure who transcended cricket, being known and loved across the world. His talent with the cricket ball was undoubted and was widely renowned as one of the great…
Read more »
Robert Downey Jr. reunites with Shane Black for Parker moviesRobert Downey Jr. is reuniting with his Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and Iron Man 3 director Shane Black for an ambitious new franchise based on the Parker crime novels by Donald E. Westlake.
Read more »