Clark - Warne one of greatest

Fast bowler pays tribute to Aussie legend

Last updated: 30th March 2008

warne shane

Warne: Outside interests

He was so much about the game and what he did for the game; he kept people interested and brought a lot of people to the game to watch.

Clark on Warne
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SHANE WARNE FACTFILE
1969: September 13 - born Melbourne, Australia.
1992: January - Makes Test debut against India in January.
1993: Bowls Mike Gatting with his first ball in a Test in England at Old Trafford.
1996: After receiving treatment on his shoulder, he requires surgery of his major spinning finger causing him to miss a short tour of India.
1997: Takes 24 wickets and scores 188 runs as Australia hit back from the disappointment of losing the first Test to retain the Ashes in England.
1999: Man of the match in Australia's World Cup final victory over Pakistan at Lord's.
2000: Becomes Australia's highest-ever Test wicket-taker by passing Dennis Lillee's milestone of 355 while on tour in New Zealand.
Named as one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Century.
2003: Announces plans to retire from one-day internationals after following month's World Cup. Pulls out of the World Cup after taking a diuretic given to him by his mother during his recovery from a shoulder injury. Handed a 12-month ban
2004: Recalled to Australia's Test squad to tour Sri Lanka days later. October - Overtakes Muralitharan by making Irfan Pathan his 533rd Test victim.
2005: March - Signs new two-year contract with Hampshire. May - Hits maiden first-class hundred against Kent in the County Championship. July - Takes his 600th Test wicket when he removes Marcus Trescothick in the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford.
2006: Takes his 700th Test wicket when he removes Andrew Strauss in the fourth Test at Melbourne.
2007: January 3 - Takes his 1,000th international wicket on his final Test appearance before retirement. Retires from international cricket with 708 Test and 1,001 international wickets after helping Australia complete a 5-0 Ashes whitewash over England.

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Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark has led the tributes to Shane Warne following the leg-spinner's decision to retire from first-class cricket.

Clark, who played under Warne at Hampshire, told Sky Sports News he believes Warne's decision to concentrate on the forthcoming Indian Premier League will be a big loss to the county game.

Clark said: "I didn't get a lot at Test level but one of the key reasons I came to Hampshire was to play a bit of cricket with him and to pick his brains.

"He's one of the greatest of all time and a sad loss to cricket.

"He was so much about the game and what he did for the game; he kept people interested and brought a lot of people to the game to watch."

The 38-year-old leg-spinner had initially agreed to remain at Hampshire until the end of the 2008 season, when it was expected he would retire but business interests and family commitments have prompted him to call time on his involvement with the county.

And Clark feels Warne's decision will leave a big hole at the Rose Bowl.

"You're not just losing a great cricketer but you're losing a great man from the sport.

"There are a lot of factors involved with the decision but Warnie's obviously retired from Test cricket and he's not as young as he used to be."

Decision

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove admitted Shane Warne's interests outside of the sport played a significant part in his decision to retire from first-class cricket.

"What we had arranged was that Shane would come back to Hampshire for the last couple months of the season to see out his first-class career," Bransgrove said.

"But he does have an awful lot of other commitments. I think it has been an increasing pressure for him to try to get back and see his kids as often as he wants.

"It just felt right to me that it was the time to say, 'Look, we are deluding ourselves, let's agree that this is a good time to part company professionally' and that's what we have done.

Warne took 276 first-class wickets for Hampshire at an average of 25.59 and made 2,040 runs and Bransgrove was quick to praise his contribution.

"Hampshire Cricket has been hugely privileged to have enjoyed the unstinting loyalty of this living legend since 2000," Bransgrove added.

Strategist

"The most effective and entertaining bowler of all time, Shane Warne was also a brilliant leader and strategist.

"As our captain, his influence was instrumental in the development of Hampshire into one of the country's top sides and he enriched the game wherever he played."

Warne claimed it had been a difficult decision to leave the Rose Bowl but had thoroughly enjoyed being part of the game in England.

"My eight years involved with Hampshire have been a wonderful experience," said Warne, who will still play in the forthcoming Indian Premier League event.

"Memories that will last with me forever and likewise the friendships that have been formed at the club.

"Unfortunately I am retiring from all first-class cricket but will participate in the IPL with the Jaipur franchise as captain and coach.

"This was not an easy decision to make but due to some exciting business opportunities and wanting to spend more time with my children, I had to make this call."