Shane Warne’s ball of the century and 4 other moments to remember after Australian cricket great’s death

The cricket legend was known as a master of leg-spin, and remains the second-highest wicket taker in Test cricket history.
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Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has died at the age of 52, following a suspected heart attack while staying at his villa in Koh Samui, Thailand.

The news has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, such was the monumental impact of the 'King of Spin' during his stellar career on the sport.

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Here, we take a look back some key moments from the career of a true cricketing icon.

The 'Ball of the Century'

Most bowler's first ever deliveries in key matches are often nervy efforts that are either over-pitched or well wide of the target, but Warne's in his first Ashes Test was something quite special.

Drifting well outside of experienced batsman Mike Gatting's leg stump, The Englishman looked to gently fend away the delivery, but the drifting ball hit the rough and zipped back through his guard with an astonishing brutality that seemed to defy the laws of physics, somehow crashing into the top of off stump.

Gatting stood shell-shocked and completely crestfallen, seemingly unable to comprehend what had just happened to him - nearly twenty years on, we're still trying to get our heads around it too.

Figures of 8-71 in Ashes Test

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England went into the 1994/95 Ashes as firm favourites, as they looked to secure the Urn while Down Under for the first time since 1987.

A stunning display of unplayable bowling in the second innings saw Warne blast through England's top order, removing their first five batsmen, before returning to wipe out the tail.

He finished with figures of 8-71, which he achieved in just over fifty overs.

The hosts went on to comfortably win the series 3-1, with Warne claiming 27 wickets over the course of the series, which the Aussies won 3-1.

Scoring 99 runs against New Zealand

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While Warne will be remembered for his stunning bowling skills, he was also a safe pair of hands with the bat.

Over the course of his career, he racked up twelve half-centuries at Test level, and was just one run away from a full tonne against New Zealand back in 2001.

His side went into the Test with the score all square, with both of the first two games in the three-match series finishing as draws.

In a gutsy first innings display, Warne came agonisingly close to registering a three-figure score, but was caught out for 99 after his slog sweep was caught by Mark Richardson off the bowling of Daniel Vettori.

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Frustratingly, subsequent replays showed that it should have been called a no-ball, with the umpire failing to spot Vettori overstepping the crease.

Australia went on to draw both the match and the series.

Warne's 2005 Ashes series

It was his final Ashes series in England, and what a farewell it was.

While the hosts may have famously won the classic series 2-1, Warne, 35 at the time, played his heart out for his country once again.

England were pushed to their very limits, as the former Hampshire star rolled back the years with a textbook display of formidable, often unplayable leg spin bowling.

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He finished the tour having amassed forty wickets, and impressed with the bat too, notching up 249 runs which saw him outscore the likes of Adam Gilchrist and Ian Bell over the course of the summer series.

Guiding the Rajasthan Royals to IPL glory

The Indian Premier League has its inaugural season in 2008, and a 38-year-old Warne skippered the Rajasthan Royals to victory against the odds.

He finished the competition as the third highest wicket taker, and helped secure his side the trophy in the most dramatic fashion in the final, remaining at the crease for teammate Sohail Tanvir to hit the winning run on the final ball of the competition.

The side are still looking for a follow-up title win 14 years on from the success of Warne's side.

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