Shane Warne
Warne has been bamboozling batsman for well over a decade with his subtle variations of leg-spin.
The blond Australian burst onto the scene in 1993 with a ball that spun so violently that it pitched outside leg and hit Mike Gatting's off stump. After enjoying tremendous success in international cricket, he decided to play English county cricket for Hampshire in 2000.
He had been due to return in 2003 but a 12-month suspension for a failed drugs test prior to the World Cup scuppered that move. However, he finally arrived back at Hampshire as captain for the 2004 season and helped the county gain promotion from Division Two of the Frizzell County Championship.
His return for Australia was just as successful as he claimed 26 Sri Lankan wickets in a three-match series.
Warne returned to captain Hampshire in 2005 and led the county to the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy, although he was unable to play in the final due to international commitments for Australia.
He was, however, instrumental in getting Hampshire up to second in the County Championship and his influence was further highlighted when county team mate and fellow spinner Shaun Udal was called up for the England squad to tour Pakistan.
The 2005 Ashes series saw Warne as one of the few Australians who could keep their head held up high as he claimed 40 wickets and contributed to several valuable rearguard actions with the bat.
2006 saw him top the list of his county's leading wicket-takers in the county championship with 58. His NatWest pro40 campaign saw his six scalps come at an average of 9.16, and he also managed 15 wickets in the C&G Trophy.
Warne’s list of achievements are extensive and include the man-of-the-match award in the 1999 World Cup final against Pakistan at Lord’s. He was also named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Century in 2000.
Took the wicket that clinched the Ashes for Australia in 2006-07, dismissing Monty Panesar to wrap up the third Test against England in Perth, and, in the wake of Australia's celebrations, confirmed he would retire from Tests at the end of the series.
Became the first bowler to take 700 wickets in Tests when he dismissed Andrew Strauss in front of his home crowd in the fourth Test at the MCG, and claimed his 1,000th in international wicket by removing Monty Panesar in the first innings of the final Test in Sydney.
2007 and again Warne was top wicket-taker for Hampshire in the County Championship, taking a total of 50 wickets for an average of 29.58. His NatWest Pro40 campaign saw him pick up four wickets for Hampshire, and he took 17 for an average of 21.88 in the Friends Provident Trophy.
Accepts a 'Leadership in Cricket' role with Cricket Australia late in 2007, with a brief to help mentor younger players.
Confirms his retirement from first-class cricket in March 2008 after increasing business interests and family life prevent him from returning to Hampshire for the domestic season, although Warne confirms he will play for the Jaipur franchise in the Indian Premier League.
