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| Saturday, 16 October 2004 |
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Shane Warne's crowning moment By Elmo Rodrigopulle Shane Warne unable to control his emotions shed tears of joy as he captured the wicket of Irfan Pathan to put Muttiah Muralitheran to second best and wear the crown of the highest wicket taker in Test cricket. On the first day Warne pocketed the wicket of Yuraj Singh to come on equal terms with Muralitheran. Then with about 90 minutes into the second day, Warne bowled a perfect leg spinner to Pathan which pitched outside the off stump and spun in viciously. Pathan unable to read the delivery, opened the face of his bat and guided the ball into the waiting hands of Matty Hayden at slip and that signalled the record for Warne. His teammates all rallied round him, some hugging him, some tapping him and yet others putting their hands together and clapping hard, for a wicket and a feat that will always be etched in the memory of those on the ground and the millions of others watching it on Ten Sports and listening to it on radio. It was Warne's 533rd wicket. With Warne equal on 532 with Muralitheran, it was obvious and the atmosphere pregnant with expectation as the umpires called 'play' on day two. The vociferously cheering Indian crowd was there. So was the Aussie supporters who had made their way from 'down under' to cheer their team and especially, the man of the moment Shane Warne into the record books. At the end of that memorable and record breaking over, he held the ball aloft, proudly projecting it to the crowd that was cheering and acknowledging the great man's feat. Warne will sure show that ball to his children, grandchildren and god willing great grandchildren. When skipper Adam Gilchrist called on Warne, after McGrath and Gillespie failed to breakthrough, Warne immediately began to unwind and bowl his wide repertoire of teasing and tantalising deliveries. The leg spin, the flipper, the top spinner and the googly and his other innovative deliveries were all on show. In between Pathan pulled him for a glorious six over mid wicket. Unperturbed Warne set his sights on luring either Pathan or Sehwag into his den and devouring them. Finally it was Pathan who fell for the bait and did not Warne exude joy and rejoicing. For a moment Warne stood benumbed, unable to believe and come to terms with the great deed. But once it settled in, his tears of joy were obvious and probably would have heaved a sigh of relief, now that he had done it. True Warne had his faults. Tell me who is without faul.? What is great and what must be admired is that he took it all in his stride and kept punching until he delivered the knockout blow on Pathan to become Test cricket's greatest bowler. |
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