Shane Warne, the man who tormented many a top batsman in world cricket with his sublime skills, has turned 47 today. During his glittering career, Warne gave cricket fans several unforgettable moments. Who can ever forget his 'ball of the century' that clean bowled Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes series? In the first Test of that series at Old Trafford in Manchester, Warne bowled one that pitched outside leg only to turn viciously to clip Gatting's off stump. That ball not only signalled the birth of a new superstar but it also heralded a new era for leg spin bowling. Warne, of course, went on to become the greatest leg spinner in the history of the game. "I'm proud of what I've achieved in cricket, as once I didn't think I was good enough," Warne said after bidding adieu to cricket with 708 wickets in Tests and 293 wickets in one-day cricket. The iconic Sharjah cricket stadium in the UAE also witnessed the magician at work. He played two Test matches in Sharjah against Pakistan after Australia had refused to tour Pakistan following the 9/11 attacks. Warne took 16 wickets in the two Test matches with 5/74 as his best figures in an innings. However, his duels with Sachin Tendulkar in Sharjah in 1998 became the stuff of legends in world cricket. Warne was leading the Australian attack in the tri-series in Sharjah. But unfortunately the Australian ran into Tendulkar who was in the form of his life. Tendulkar's first century of that tournament helped India enter the final. Then his next ton clinched India the title. Such was Tendulkar's brilliance that captain Steve Waugh said: "We didn't lose to India. We lost to a man named Tendulkar!" "I still get nightmares of Tendulkar," Warne also admitted after that Sharjah tournament. They may have been great rivals on the field, but Tendulkar and Warne share a great friendship off the field. "Happy birthday to the man with the golden arm, @shanewarne! May the years ahead give you good health & happiness," Tendulkar tweeted on Tuesday. Now to celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest cricketers ever, we bring you some of the best Shane Warne Youtube collections. Enjoy!
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