Shane Warne: The wrist-spin revolution owes its existence to the late Aussie great
The news that Shane Warne has passed away at the age of just 52 has devastated a cricketing world that he undoubtedly helped shape.
Very few teams are now comfortable heading into a T20 or ODI match without a wrist-spinner in their ranks.
Much of the status now afforded to top wrist-spinners stems from the work done by Warne to advance and popularise the skill.
Shane Warne led the wrist-spin revolution
Prior to Warne’s arrival, wrist-spinners had something of a reputation for sending down too much dross to be an effective weapon, despite ample histrorical examples of great leg-spinners.
His willingness to experiment with new deliveries opened up the art of spin bowling to a world of variations.
Warne’s flipper became as famous as it was feared and all of a sudden a spinner was among the most intimidating Australian bowlers to face.
Curiously the cricketing world might owe Warne’s mastery to a childhood accident that forced him to use a wheelchair, which he credited with improving his arm and wrist strength. The incident is detailed in Gideon Haigh’s book “On Warne”.
Warne’s strength in that area gave him far greater control than many of his leg-spinning peers, enabling him to build pressure and thus take wickets.
While there has always been a lot of talk about Warne’s variations and special balls, it was the consistency of his stock delivery that set him up to succeed.
He married the control associated with orthodox spin-bowling with the ability to put far more revs on a ball.
Those revs not only allowed Warne to bowl big turning deliveries but also helped him manipulate the flight of a delivery.
His mastery of the craft provided a blueprint for other spinners to follow and also helped captain’s and coaches put greater faith in their wrist-spinning options.
You don’t have to look far to find spinners inspired by Shane Warne, with Adam Zampa, Australia‘s current top leggie, sporting an action that is very similar to that of that great man.
Both India’s Yuzvendra Chahal and Pakistan’s Shadab Khan have confessed that they chose leg spin because of the impact of Shane Warne.
The cricket world mourns a superstar and trailblazer.
Latest
-
NewsBen Stokes pledges England will play with no fear against Australia
Stokes has led his team to victory in 11 of his 13 Tests since he was installed as permanent skipper at the start of last summer.
-
The AshesSteve Smith looking forward to seeing how England fare against Australia attack
All five of Australia’s bowlers claimed a wicket as India were reduced to 151 for five in the World Test Championship final – still 318 runs behind.
-
World Test ChampionshipIndia struggle for runs as Australia gain upper hand in World Test Championship
By stumps on day two India were 318 behind on 151 for five.
-
The AshesOllie Pope admits England are searching for methods to unsettle Steve Smith
Smith ground India’s bowlers down with a meticulous 121 at the Oval.
-
World Test ChampionshipIndia lose openers cheaply as Australia build on Steve Smith ton in WTC final
India were 37 for two at tea after Australia were bowled out for 469.
-
World Test ChampionshipAustralia’s Steve Smith racks up seventh Test century on English soil
Smith helped his side reach 442 for seven on day two against India at the Oval.
-
EnglandOn this day 2011: England’s Matt Prior reprimanded over smashed window at Lord’s
Prior’s angry reaction came after he was run out on the final day of the second Test against Sri Lanka.
-
T20 BlastJos Buttler hits half-century as Lancashire return to winning ways in the Blast
Opener Buttler hit 58 off 42 balls as the hosts successfully chased down 178
-
The AshesJos Buttler believes Moeen Ali will thrive on return to England’s Test side
has not played an international Test for nearly two years.
-
