Vale Shane Warne
Esteemed Member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame
13/09/1969 – 04/03/2022
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame is mourning the passing of esteemed Member Shane Warne who passed away suddenly on Friday, March 4, 2022, aged 52.
Warne was the most prolific wicket taker in Australian Test cricket history. In 145 Test matches he took 708 wickets and a further 293 wickets in One Day Internationals to take the total of wickets taken for Australia beyond 1000. He was also a top class slips fielder, taking 125 catches in his 145 Tests. As a free hitting lower order batsman he scored 3154 Test runs at an average of 17.32, including a memorable dismissal for 99.
It is for his leg-spin bowling however, that he will always be remembered, setting records continuously throughout his career. In March 2004 he became the first Australian to claim 500 wickets, in 2005 he became the first in the world to pass 600 and, on Dec 26, 2006, he became the first to pass 700. Among the many accolades heaped on him, one of the most significant was when, in 2000, Warne was nominated by Wisden as one of five Cricketers of the Century.
In 2005 he set a record of 96 wickets in a calendar year, including 40 at an average of 19.92 taken in the Test series against England.
His playing record, sense of theatre for the big occasion and larger than life character will ensure he stands eternally among the greats of international cricket.
We are all in shock. Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair John Bertrand AO said. “Shane Warne, Australia’s greatest who transcended the game of cricket. Spinning was a dying art until Warnie came along, inspiring so many along the way. His name lives alongside Bradman as the greatest of the modern era.
His accolades for his playing career span just as large as his personality. His talent matched his charisma and there was never a dull moment on or off the field.
Warnie, a giant of the game, larrikin and life of the party. You leave us with a lasting legacy that is etched in the history books.
Our deepest condolences are with his children Brooke, Summer and Jackson, the Warne family, the entire sporting community and all of the now cricketers he inspired.”
Read Shane Warne’s full biography here.
Shane Warne with fellow SAHOF Member, Glenn McGrath AM after their final Boxing Day Test at Melbourne’s iconic MCG.
