One of the greatest spin bowlers of all times, cricket great Shane Warne left us a bit too early. Another great cricketer of the golden age of Australian cricket Rodney Marsh also returned to eternal pavilion the previous day.
Shane was only 52 when he left for over. ABC Television since morning showing footage of Warne special, also showing tributes of his playmates and contemporary greats, I met with him few times at MCG on Boxing Day tests at MCC lounge in Melbourne, also attended few events of Warne Charity Organization. MCG sports museum has a 3D special show of Warne. As a fellow Victorian, I pay my great homage to the great. 
[photo collected]
So many great actions of Shane delivering magic balls of Warney flashing back on memory. It is extremely difficult to comprehend which was actually the ball of the century. Was it him deceiving Mike Gatting with a sharp turning leg spinner? Was it the ball he cleaned up Basit Ali? Was the straight one that fooled Richie Richardson? Shane got a hat-trick in a test at his home ground MCG . I spent few days at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka at the same time with another great David Boon. Boon was there for performing as ICC match referee. We spent time in the breakfast few morning. Obviously we discussed cricket. Boon used to field at short fine leg when Shane bowled. He snapped up many catches of Shane’s bowling. Boon was of full praise of Shane . I had opportunity to meet talk with Bill Lawry and Rod Marsh in few cricket events in Melbourne. Bill considered Shane as the greatest Victorian, Rod told he would have been enjoyed keeping against Shane. Rod was a generation earlier than Shane. What a tragedy Rod and Shane followed one another into the oblivion. 
[photo collected]
Enjoyed so many exciting contests of Shane against Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Kumara Sangrakara. When I met with Shane during the mini world cup at Dhaka my son Shafayet Avro was a toddler. We had a photograph. Avro could imitate Shane during little cricket he played. He was the first yesterday to tweet when he expired. Shane presented a cap to him. Me and my other son Shuvro when watching Pakistan Australia test yesterday were missing Warne and Ian Chappell in the commentary box. We never imagined that Shane would never be heard again,
Warne retired from all formats of international cricket in January 2007 at the conclusion of Australia’s clean sweep of Ashes. Three other mates Glenn Mcgrath, Dameian Martyn and Justin Langer also retired at the same time. Australian captain Ricky Ponting termed it as “end of an era “.
Shane himself considered Richie Benaud and Clarrie Grimmet as his inspiration. He also admitted that he learned a few tricks from legendary Pakistan leg spinner Abdul Qadir. Wish that the soul one of the great cricketers ever born rests in peace for ever.
BDST: 1233 HRS, MAR 05, 2022
SMS
