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Factbox on Australian bowler Shane Warne after he announced on thursday he was retiring from international cricket following the fifth Ashes test against England.
Born: 13 September 1969, Melbourne
Right-arm leg spin bowler, right-hand batsman
Teams: Australia, Victoria, Hampshire
Tests: 143
Debut: v India, Sydney, 1992
Runs: 3,043,
average 16.81, high score 99
699 wickets, average 25.49, best bowling 8-71
One-day internationals: 194
293 wickets, average 25.73, best bowling 5-33 Arguably the most famous and influential cricketer since Don Bradman, Warne is largely credited for revitalising the art of leg spin bowling after an era dominated by fast bowlers.
Was named as one of Wisden's five best players of the 20th century and holds the world record for the most test wickets.
Is poised to become the first man to reach the once-unimaginable milestone of 700 test scalps in next week's fourth Ashes test against England in Melbourne.
Made his test debut in 1992, aged just 22, against India in Sydney, but was dropped after taking one for 228 in the match, with Ravi Shastri his only wicket.
Was chosen for the 1993 Ashes tour of England and bowled England captain Mike Gatting with his first delivery, later dubbed "the ball of the century."
Became the first player in over 90 years to take a hat-trick in the Ashes when he achieved the feat against England at Melbourne in 1994. Was fined by the Australian Cricket Board in 1995 after admitting taking money from a man associated with an Indian bookmaker for providing information about pitches and weather but the case was hushed up for three years.
Underwent surgery in 1998 to repair a career-threatening shoulder injury, then another operation to repair a damaged finger as the wear and tear of bowling starting taking an effect.
Relaunched his career at the 1999 World Cup and was named man of the match in Australia's victory over Pakistan in the final.
Broke Dennis Lillee's Australian record of 355 test wickets on tour in New Zealand in 2000 then lost the test vice-captaincy later that year for sending lewd text messages to an English nurse.
Captured his 400th test wicket during the 2001 Ashes and made a career-best 99 with the bat against New Zealand later that a year, falling just short of a maiden test century.
Announced he would retire from one-day cricket after the 2003 World Cup before injuring his shoulder while fielding in a match a few months before the tournament.
Made a miraculous recovery to join the team for the World Cup but was sent home in disgrace before the tournament began after failing a drugs test. He was banned for 12 months.
Made his return against Sri Lanka in 2004, taking 10 wickets in his first match to pass 500 test wickets, then later that year overtook Muttiah Muralitharan's world record of 532 victims. Separated from his wife Simone in 2005 following media reports of his adultery before becoming the first player to reach 600 test wickets.
Takes 40 wickets in the 2005 Ashes series and finishes the year with 96 to break Lillee's long-standing world record of 85 in a calendar year.
Bowls Monty Panesar to seal Australia's victory in the third test against England to regain the Ashes in 2006.
Three days later he announces he will quit international cricket at the end of the series.
- REUTERS
