Coming To A Close

Warnie's About To Retire

Speculation is mounting that Shane Warne will call it quits after the Sydney Test.

Australia's greatest cricketer of the modern era, Shane Warne, will announce his retirement from international cricket tomorrow, effective from the end of the Sydney Test.

Warne will almost certainly take his 700th Test wicket at his home ground, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, during the forthcoming Boxing Day Test. It is thought that Warne viewed this as fitting way to close the book on one of the most celebrated, and controversial, careers of all-time.

Warne, 37, is Test cricket's leading wicket-taker and in 2000 was named one of Wisden's five cricketers of the century.

So an amazing era in Australian cricket is about to close.
I can remember in the days before the internet, Brutus Colcagoon and I used to run a little newsletter for the literary set at the now defunct Harold Park Hotel. In one of our editorials, we lambasted the then new addition, Shane Warne for being s tubby lout, but his cricket prowess sure shut us up over the years. Now he's about to walk away from it all with over 700 wickets. How time flies. Thanks for the memories, you tubby lout! SMS-messaging will never be the same after you!

What will happen when 'Straya will lose their amazing leggie? My guess it that there is some kid somewhere right now who has grown up watching and adulating Shane, who may just step into his shoes very comfortably. Don't bet against the regenerative powers of Aussie cricket. :)

McGrath Too
Stalwart fastbowler Glen McGrath is also tipped to quit after the Sydney Test.

Glenn McGrath, 36, is also tipped to announce his retirement after the Sydney Test.

McGrath is the third-leading Test wicket taker in history and his combination with Warne has been credited with much of the success of some of the great Australian sides.

The news Australian cricket fans have dreaded comes on the heels of 35-year-old batsman Damien Martyn's surprise retirement, while Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden are all over 35.

Well, if this is all true, so long and thanks for the 1254+ wickets, guys. :)