Legendary spin bowler Shane Warne announced yesterday he will
retire from international and Australian cricket at the end of the
current Ashes series against England.
"I'm going to announce my retirement from international cricket,
domestic cricket, Victoria and Saint Kilda as well," the sport's
greatest wicket-taker told reporters.
"It's been unbelievable - my journey and my ride in
international cricket has been phenomenal."
Warne said he would see out the remaining two years of his
contract with English county side Hampshire.
He said he felt ready to retire at the end of the current Ashes
series, which Australia clinched with an unassailable 3-0 lead last
week to regain international cricket's oldest trophy after a shock
loss to England last year.
"For me, it was a mission to get that urn back," he said.
Warne said he had initially doubted advice from people that he
would know when it was time to call stumps on his remarkable career
but he now knew it was time to go.
"My time is now," he said. "I couldn't have asked for things to
go any better. I'm a very happy man. I probably would have retired
after the 2005 Ashes had we won, but that was not to be. There was
unfinished business."
Warne said he rated this month's stunning fifth-day victory over
England in the second Test at Adelaide as a highlight that helped
him to leave cricket while on the top of his game.
"Adelaide did that - I think that the best Test match I've ever
played in," he said.
Warne will play the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket
Ground beginning December 26, where he is expected to claim his
700th wicket. His Test swansong will be the fifth Test in
Sydney.
On his immediate future, Warne said: "My focus is these next two
Test matches and after that I'll sit back and have a few quiet
beers and few smokes and try and weigh it all up and see what the
future holds."
(China Daily December 22, 2006)