Spinners on Shane Warne: bowlers explain why he was a cricketing genius | Shane Warne

SHane Warnes’ genius as a bowler and his role in breathing new life into the moribund art of leg-spin bowling were shared endlessly throughout his career and life. But what did other spinners make of the man who revolutionized their craft and repurposed it for a new era? Excerpts from the new anthology Warne at Wisdenbowlers of all stripes and eras discuss the qualities that made Warne great.

Robin Hobbs, Essex and England

So how does he will do it? Warne has a very economical start and a classic side delivery: bad balls are a rarity. Very thrifty, he can and will bowl for hours, his new captain Mark Taylor has said it will be the hardest to take the ball from him. He never seems to tire, one spin off after another, often bowling around the coals to rough outside leg stump. Some call this negative bowling: I disagree because so few batsmen today have the technique to survive this attack. For many, the only shot offered is a hell of a sweep, which is extremely dangerous against a spinning ball. Wisden Cricket Monthly, January 1995

Ashley Mallett, Australia

Warne keeps his method a simple start, eyes focused, wrist bent and a surge of tremendous power through the crease. Before he came along, many feared that wrist-twirling was a lost art, gone the way of the dinosaurs, which disappeared years ago when planet Earth failed to raise the cosmic bumper.

Then came Warne. He bowled leg-break overspin, flipper and top-spinner; he didn’t have to mis-bowl too often. Instead of hitting the bat by a fair margin, the left-handed spinner took the edge. Smart. Above all, he was precise. In the dark years of spin, the idea was that finger wheels were more accurate and could be trusted. Turn to history and you will find that many of the most accurate bowlers of all time were legs: Grimmett, Wright, OReilly, Barnes, Gupte, Benaud, Kumble, Warne.

However, a wrist bowler can sometimes get away with a shorter delivery because he is working the ball as he uses a combination of fingers, wrist and arm. The ball bounces high and often lifts the batsman up. The delivery could cost him one run, whereas an orthodox spinner would usually have no bounce and get full treatment. Wisden, 1997

Richie Benaud, Australia

A popular theory is that the back-splitting, hip-twisting, knee-twisting golf swing is one of the most difficult movements for athletes. However, in his memorable Rusacks Hotel interview with Henry Longhurst at St Andrews, Peter Thomson managed to simplify it to three elements: getting the clubhead in the right position behind the ball, taking the clubhead off and then hitting the ball forward. swing the club face back to its original position. Keep it simple, was his word.

Spinning over the wrist is a bit like that; you have to keep it simple like Warne does and has done to become the greatest leg spinner I have ever seen in his sport. OReilly and Grimmett, the other two great Australian spin bowlers, parted ways and certainly parted ways with Warne.

The fact that they did not take as many wickets as Warne was because Australia did not play as many Tests at that time; but it is noteworthy that when all three of them had played 27 Tests covering OReillys Test career, the figures were Grimmett 147, OReilly 144 and Warne 124. Grimmetts 216 deliveries at the end of his career is the highest ever. taken at that stage of any bowler’s career, be it fast or slow, Warne is in very good company. Wisden Australia, 2000-01

Terry Jenner, Australia

Warne is something else. His ability to spin his leg exceptionally long distances while consistently landing the ball in the batsmen’s danger zone has changed the entire perception and expectations of wrist spinners.

Warne also gets my nod for his courage and longevity coupled with his willingness to work hard in the nets. Two operations on the rotator cuff, a major operation on the bowling shoulder and an operation on the left knee testify to his courage. It’s amazing that he can compete; the fact that he still uses quality punches is even more incredible. Wisden Cricket Monthly, November 2001

Anil Kumble, India

Warne is probably the best spinner I have seen. It’s amazing what he can do with the cricket ball and I’ve always enjoyed watching him bowl. When we meet, we share a few thoughts on each other’s bowling. Wisden Asia Cricket, March 2002

Rex Sellers, Australia

The first thing that comes to mind with Warne is his flexibility, his adaptability on all sides, in any hemisphere. Then there is his uncomplicated rise and delivery stride and his ability to be a shock bowler or bowler, which is a testament to his durability. And he has that coiled wrist; he was born into greatness with the first ball he bowled in Great Britain to Mike Gatting. Wisden Australia 2004-05

John Gleeson, Australia

The main thing is his control. Guys who have been great spinners of the ball, Johnny Martin and David Sincock and Stuart MacGill, are beyond the reach of booze. The ball can only do three things: it either goes straight or it spins off the leg or it goes away. It can’t do anything else. It won’t disappear or explode. So I think the main thing that sticks with Warne is his control and knowledge of the game. He showed it when he was captain a couple of times.

I didn’t see Bill OReilly and apparently he was pretty handy, but this guy has got to be the best leggie since the war at least. Normally, people with Warnes control have to give up something, usually spin rate or variation. But these guys have all the variety and control, although I think the eight different balls go a bit wild. Like I said, basically you’re doing three things, so there’s a certain amount of bluffing. Wisden Australia 2004-05

Jim Higgs, Australia

I first got in touch with him when he was at St Kilda and Jack Edwards, the club president, asked me to meet him a few times. It was obvious that he had a huge impact on the game, even if not everyone could see it. He struggled to get going with Victoria in the early 1990s. I was on the national selection board at the time and I had to wonder why.

He could do most things with the ball. He later developed a few things, such as the flipper and using the subtleties of back-spin and square-spin to create different flight paths. But what stood out was that he was so strong. Without it, the spinner will struggle. Shane had that and apparently a little more. Wisden Australia 2004-05

Bob Holland, Australia

What impresses me the most is his ability to read the hitter. When she screws her face up after giving birth, as if to say it was almost over, I can see what she’s thinking. He confines the batsman to about three balls. He realizes that this guy is not that good on his hind legs or doesn’t want to use his legs. Then he grinds. The difference between him and the rest is that he bowls the exact right delivery at the exact right place at the exact right time. Wisden Australia 2004-05

This is an excerpt from the new book Warne in Wisden: An Anthologyedited by Richard Whitehead.