Ball of the Century & The 700th Test Wicket
‘That ball just all fell into place. I see it as a bit of destiny and a bit of luck and a bit of fate. It was actually meant to be because I never did it again.’ Shane Warne.
By Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
Greatest Sporting Moments - Bradman Museum
The Ball of the Century
Old Trafford, Manchester, 1993. A young, blond leg-spin bowler hurriedly marks out his run up. The batsman, England veteran Mike Gatting, eyes him watchfully.
Shane Warne Ball of the Century (1993-06-04) by Channel Nine, Wide World of SportsBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
The bowler runs in and delivers. The ball loops, dips and fading slightly to leg before jagging dramatically towards the slips. Gatting shapes to defend his leg stump and is left immobilised his broken off stump confirming he’s been bowled. He pauses, unbelieving, before trudging off rueful and bemused.
It is Shane Warne’s first ball in Test cricket on English soil. A precocious bowling talent has arrived in the game.
Shane Warne, ball of the century, ENG (1993) by Channel Nine, Wide World of SportsBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
Did that just happen?
Titled ‘the ball of the century’ the delivery is replayed over and over again.
The perfection of its trajectory is lovingly described by doyens of the game while audiences marvel at the wicked traction the rapidly spinning ball gathers off the pitch to beat Gatting’s ineffectual bat.
A star is born
Warne's killer delivery: Shane Warne bowling. Mike Gatting (England) batsman. Mark Taylor (c) first slip. Ian Healy (wicket keeper). Dickie Bird (umpire). Graham Gooch (England) batsman.
Ball of the Century, ENG (1993) by Channel Nine, Wide World of SportsBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
Gatting, "I can't believe it."
On the Edge of Glory: 700th Wicket
Fast forward to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day, December 26, 2006. A mature Shane Warne has taken 699 Test wickets, the most of any bowler in cricket history. A massive, partisan and adoring crowd have gathered to witness Warne’s milestone in his home city - his 700th wicket.
Shane Warne's 700th Test wicket at MCG. (2006-12-26) by Philip BrownBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
700 :: Got him!
After 46 overs and with three wickets down the leg-spinner is brought into the attack. On strike is the English Captain Andrew Strauss well set on 50 runs.
Warne begins his familiar assault on the batsman, staring accusingly after each delivery, moving fieldsmen, jumping into his delivery stride and ripping the ball with massive forearms and strong fingers.
Before long Strauss advances down the pitch to a full ball. He’s beaten in flight, as the ball dips and spins between bat and pad to hit the stumps.
History Repeating
Two deliveries nearly 13 years apart, the same result. In between, a phenomenal career was built as Shane Warne bowled his way into history across nine Test cricketing nations, on a variety of pitches in all conditions.
History was repeated; Shane Warne being the first Australian to take 700 wickets; and on his Test home ground MCG. Truly, making two of cricket's greatest sporting moments.
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Image Philip Brown. Video courtesy Wide World of Sports, Channel Nine.
Author: David Wells
Art Direction: Monica Donoso
© Bradman Museum 2019.
Images:
Philip Brown
Channel Nine, Wide World of Sports
Videos:
700th Wicket :: Channel Nine, Wide World of Sports
Ball of the Century :: Channel Nine, Wide World of Sports
Archive footage authorised for use by Bradman Museum for non-commercial gain.
