Shane Warne has revealed he is to quit one-day cricket immediately after the World Cup. Is Australia's greatest wicket taker the best ever one-day bowler?Shane Warne played his first one day international against New Zealand in March 1993 and took 2-40 in a limited 50 overs match.
He went on to take 288 wickets in 191 one-day internationals including a match-winning performance against Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup final.
Already a legend, the 33-year-old has now decided to quit the one-day game after problems with a shoulder injury over the last few years.
Who is better than Warne in the one-day game? What are your favourite moments from his prolific one-day career?
This debate has now closed. A selection of your best comments are published below
What puts Warne in a league above the rest is his originality, the way he's so unpredictable, unlike McGrath, Lillie, Botham and so many other good bowlers
Bernard, UK
It's difficult to compare across the cricketing generations particularly since batsmanship in the one-day game has adapted beyond all recognition. Nonetheless, Joel Garner gets my vote.
Overall there is no one like Wasim Akram
Khalid, UK
|
He was a wonderfully penetrating yet controlled bowler. His average and economy rate are second to none. And his 5-38 in the 1979 World Cup final was only overshadowed because of Viv Richards' extravaganza. Joel Garner was a master craftsman in this form of the game.
Gareth A Richards, Manila, Philippines
Everyone seems to be hinged on debating between Wasim and Warne who without a doubt are two of the best. But what about Waqar Younis? Having a wickedly concealed inswinging yorker he was unplayable in his peak time, but having to stay out for so long with recurring injuries and internal rifts with team members he lost a lot of playing time.
For his destructive performances throughout the 90's Waqar has to be applauded! Hard choice between Waqar, Wasim and Warne but overall there is no one like Wasim Akram!
Khalid, UK
Without absolutely any doubt, Shane Warne is the greatest spinner to have played any version of the game. He reintroduced the art of classical spin bowling with all his different types of variations. People often say that Murali is better. With due respect to Murali, I must say that these people do not see that Murali has played far many matches than Shane Warne against weaker oppositions like Bangladesh, Kenya etc. Warne has managed to prove his brilliance in spite of being overshadowed many times by the awesome Aussie pace attack.I always remember the 1999 WC as my favourite moment of his playing career. He single-handedly turned the semis in Australia's favour. What a player!
Rohan Choudhary, Faridabad, India
Warne, is definitely one of the best bowlers, but one cannot forget Murali and a few great bowlers like Wasim, Imran, Lillie, Botham, Snow and the battery of the Windies in the Richards era who didn't play so many ODI's.
Hiran Hettiarachchi, Spain
A fitting end to his one-day career will be the Aussies lifting the World Cup
David Dewhurst, Brisbane
|
Not only is Warne a great bowler but he is also a great motivator, his presence lifts the morale of Australian team. No one in international cricket today has a greater on-field influence than Shane Warne.
Hemant, London
Great bowler, but everyone seems to have forgotten Joel Garner and Malcom Marshall!
Howard, London
Looking back through the years Shane Warne is the greatest one-day slow bowler. However looking towards the future Murali will overtake the great man.
Warne benefits just as much from the 'Warne' mystic and his bowling partners. His retirement from the one-day game is wise. His re-built shoulder will take him beyond 550 test wickets.
A fitting end to his one-day career will be the Aussies lifting the World Cup. It has been a pleasure turning on the TV and watching the great man 'do his thing'.
David Dewhurst, Brisbane, Australia
Whilst in terms of economy he may not be the greatest, in terms of being the bowler who could turn a game with a delivery, he must rank as the best.
He has never been afraid to give the ball air and give it a chance to turn, and consequently he has added a more attacking and interesting aspect to the Aussie attack which other nations lack.
For one defining moment - the 1999 World Cup vs. South Africa. Whilst most people remember the Klusener-Donald run out, the crucial moment of the game came when Warne bowled Herschelle Gibbs with a 'Gatting'-like delivery, totally changing the complexion of the game. This is the W-factor that he added.
Tom, Shrewsbury, England
Warne is a great bowler but his greatness, summed up in THAT ball to Gatting, is surpassed by Wasim Akram, summed up in THOSE balls to Lamb and Lewis. At his peak, which lasted several years, he was ferociously quick, could swing either way and bowl short pitch, yorkers and disguise his slower ball like no other. He can bat too and don't forget his match winning performances for Lancashire not just Pakistan.
Omar, London
How short the memories of modern cricket fans. If you want the true answer to your question, ask any batsman that ever faced Joel Garner (Big Bird) in the one-day game.
Bob, Holland
Shane Warne is the best slow bowler in the shorter version of the game. There is no doubt about that. After seeing him play so many matches against tough opposition and destroyed them. He will certainly be the one to watch for this World Cup. At age 33 he is already a legend. What an achievement!
Max, Netherlands
Warne is not the greatest one day bowler as the Indians have never had a problem playing him. Only a person like Murali who has troubled every team in the world can be considered to be the best
Sai Koppaka, Illinois, USA
Warne is one of the best but Wasim Akram was, is, and will probably be for a long time the best one day bowler ever! Type of wicket, bounce, swing, or climatic conditions, nothing stands in his way
Mansoor Mian, USA
Warne has the luxury of hunting partners in the form of Gillespie and McGrath
Alistair, Scotland
|
The 'best one day bowler ever' doesn't exist. However, among the greatest are Shane Warne, Murali, Akram and probably McGrath. Their crafts are all slightly different and hence they all have their own unique specialities.
And as we all know, comparing Warne's statistics to other bowlers is down right unfair considering the quality in the Australian team. You could definitely say that he's the best leg spinner of all time though.
Adrian Hathorn, Australia
Warne & Wasim both great bowlers both of them playing a huge hand in their countries winning the World Cup. If I had to pick one among them it would be Wasim. Apart from being a great bowler he can also be a destructive batsman.
Warne though has a great record but is not as effective against quality India as he is against England. In fact the Indian team might relish having to play Warne but the same cannot be said of Wasim Akram against any team.
Arbaz Macomb, USA
Shane is probably the best spinner especially in big games and when it counts most. But people forget Hadlee, he was awesome. At his peak Ambrose was pretty handy too.
Matt, Perth
Though Warne is a truly great bowler, he has had the luxury and privilege of having hunting partners in the form of McGrath and Gillespie, not to mention the exceptional fielding of the Australians to help him attain such heights. Murali has had none of these, hunting alone...this is what sets him apart!
Alistair, Scotland
No he's probably not the greatest one-day bowler. But he is the greatest leg-spinner in the history of either form of the game. He is a match winner. I was in the UK in 1999 and the press was writing him off as a spent force. He proved them wrong again.
And whilst he had to put up with a lot from English crowds and their press, he didn't run away or complain or change his ACB contract. He was professional enough to stand up and keep taking wickets. Murali take note!
Daryl, Australia
The question is, can he bowl against other teams like India and Sri Lanka
Patrick Ratnaraja, England
|
Move over Murali and Shane. The best bowler is clearly Wasim Akram. He's got a phenomenal record and the most wickets in ODI. No one will ever get close, Wasim is simply the one and only.
Saira, England
With due respect to Warne, who is undoubtedly one of the greatest bowlers of all time, I feel that Wasim Akram is the best in the one-day format.
Alex, UK
Warne is a good bowler no doubt about that. The more he plays against England the more wickets he gets. The question is, can he bowl against other teams like India and Sri Lanka.
Murali on the other hand can turn a ball on any pitch against any team. Wasim Akram is a good cricketer, to play 400 ODIs and get the highest number of wickets, I wouldn't even count that as a record.
Patrick Ratnaraja, England
Isn't it hard to compare fast bowlers with spinners? As a leg-spinner, though, Shane Warne, is the best I have seen. One must presumably go back to Subhash Gupte, Abdul Qadir, and B.S. Chandrashekhar, who I did not have the privilege to see, except in brief video clips, and who didn't play much ODI cricket, to find anything comparable.
But Shane's best moments may be behind him, as his injuries have made it difficult for him to weave the old magic. One such one was the 1999 World Cup match vs South Africa, when his leg-spinners pitched on the middle and leg, drifted to the right - or several inches outside the leg-stump, and then broke back a couple of feet, to take the batsman's off-stump, leaving him shaking his head - and gesturing - how does one play such a ball?
Harinder Jadwani, Canada
His uncanny ability to deliver when the chips are down speaks volumes.
Ravi Sarma, India
|
Warne is one of the best ever, and his figures reflect bowling against quality opposition. On a side note, some people have mentioned Muttiah Muralitharan, his figures reflect his Test-playing career, usually playing against opponents that Australia refuses to play to their lower cricketing standards. Like Kenya, Bangladesh, etc.
Jimmy Simms, Australia
Warne could be the greatest one-day spin bowler, but the legacy and class that Wasim Akram possesses will be felt forever. He is undoubtedly the sultan of swing and pioneers of reverse swing bowling, delivering lethal yorkers and deadly bouncers with fifteen steps to run from.
Saleh Majid, U.S.A
Good dip to the flight, turned the ball more than anyone, but less prolific than Murali.
Jack Fones, UK
Warne is right up there amongst the best and certainly one of the most exciting bowlers in the one day game. His uncanny ability to deliver when the chips are down speaks volumes.
His performance against South Africa in the World Cup Semi finals in 1999 turned the game on its head will stand out in my memory for a long time to come.
Ravi Sarma, India
No, I would rate Murali, Kumble, Wasim and Pollock ahead of Warne.
Jacob George, United Kingdom
I think that Warne is without doubt the best one-day slow bowler of all time.
However, if you're looking for the best overall one-day bowler, you can't look further than Holding, Hadlee and Garner, whose average of 18 is unlikely to ever be surpassed.
Mike Fenna, Hamble, Hampshire, UK
For a wrist spinner to perfom as he has in this form of the game makes him the best one-day bowler
Imran Raja
|
It is impossible to compare different styles of bowling but amongst all type of spinners he is the best. Very accurate, exceptional turn and loads of variety . The ball to Gatting (I hope he is not still having nightmares) was the ball of the century.
Jagtar, Hardingstone
Warney's very good, but there's no one better than Wasim Akram, batting, bowling and to a degree fielding, he's got just about everything.
Nick Southwell, Surrey, UK
In recent times Shane Warne has been compared to and sometimes overshadowed by Murali of Sri Lanka. There is no doubt however that Shane is an all round better player.
He has a wider variety of unplayable deliveries, is a magnificent slips fielder and quite capable with the bat coming down the order especially in the shorter version of the game.
Tom Stimson, Nottinghamshire
Wasim Akram was extremely good as well as Warne. Aren't you all forgetting Muttiah Muralitharan? I have never seen such economical figures in one dayers or someone else who is able to get consistent wickets in the short form of the game.
Andy Mac, Chester
Without doubt one of the greatest talents the game will ever see. In a career plagued with controversy, he has continually bounced back and answered the critics.
Adam Williams,
His never-say-die approach was evident in many close battles
Imran Raja
|
Warne's ODI record is fantastic and would be second to none: but it is. Pakistan's Wasim Akram simply cannot be matched in terms of ODI success.
But I'm sure the Aussies will manage to overlook this whilst falling over to pat one of their own on the back!
Brian Kilpatrick,
A great performer and one of the all-time greats who I can see breaking Courtney Walsh's Test record of 519 wickets.
His never-say-die approach was evident in many close battles, especially the 1996 WC semi-final v WI when the Aussies were heading for defeat, and also his match-winning performance in the 1999 World Cup semi-final against SA.
For a wrist spinner to perfom as he has in this form of the game makes him, in my opinion, the best one-day bowler.
Imran Raja
Shane Warne is a great bowler - about that there is no doubt. Big heart, great temperament and loads of ability. However, for me, the best one-day international player ever is the one and only, the legendary - Wasim Akram.
Able to produce on flat battting tracks and more importantly, the big occasion...and responsible for bowling the best ball of the century to Allan Lamb in the 1992 World Cup.
Wasim Akram is the best and one can only imagine what his stats would have looked like if he had been able to play on the bouncier/faster, or even more seamier, wickets around the world! There will never be another Wasim Akram.
Naeem
Wasim Akram is the greatest no matter what anyone says!
Cardiff lad
Email this story to a friend
