Warne reaches 600 wickets

Shane Warne became the first bowler to take 600 Test wickets when he had Marcus Trescothick caught behind on the first day of the third Test at Old Trafford. He reached the landmark in his 126th Test when, in his fifth over, Trescothick attempted a sweep and was caught behind off the back of the bat by Adam Gilchrist. Cricinfo have provided a few good articles to celebrate the occasion including, The ride of the decade, Warne breaks the 600 barrier, Bowled Shane by Ian Healy, Magic in his wrists, and Wisden Cricketer of the Century.

Congratulations Shane Warne on behalf of all your fans and all fans of cricket, well done.

Warne on 599

Shane Warne continued to mesmorize England today, as he had with The Strauss Ball last night. Finishing with 6/46 off 23.1 overs, including 2 6's in one over from Pieterson, Warne now has 599 test wickets and will have to wait a few more days to bring up the magical 600. The match is very evenly poised and Australia will have to bat at their best if they are to get the 282 runs required to win this crucial test. Warney has now taken 10 wickets for the match and already has 16 for the series in just 2 tests for 245 runs at 15.3

Warne and 100 wickets in England

Shane Warne created Test cricket history again a few moments ago when he ripped the ball past Andrew Strauss who couldn't believe what had happened. Like The Gatting Ball which announced him as a bowler in England with his first wicket in that country back in 1993, The Strauss Ball became Shane Warne's 100th Test victim in England, and subsequently he is the first player ever to have taken 100 test wickets in a country other than his own. The magician lives on, and The Strauss Ball also becomes victim 594. Will 600 come up tomorrow?

Postscript, Cricinfo have just put out a good article on Warney's 100th wicket in England.

What was Warney doing?

Coming in at 6 for 262 with your side in a little trouble still 140 plus runs behind, most people would be a little cautious with the bat and value their wicket. Not Shane Warne, out embarrasingly trying to hit Giles out of the park and clean bowled, 2 feet down the crease for 8. What was the man thinking?

Warne online

Pitch looks tailor-made for McGrath, was the way that Shane Warne spoke of Edgbaston less than 24 hours before the McGrath incident in his TimesOnline column Speaking of his own preparation he had this to say:

As far as my bowling goes, I’m in good shape after working with Terry Jenner before Lord’s. The shape, drift and spin were there. I’ve been fiddling with a few different grips and I even sent down a new ball at Lord’s. I don’t think anybody spotted it, but if I’m confident, I might give it another go here. Watch this space.

England on the attack as Warney nears 600.

Well what a day, Engalnd have finally decided that attack is the key, and no doubt the late news of champion Glenn McGrath being a late withdrawal just gave them the confidence booster they needed. They have sent down the challenge, yet... did they make the most of their start, Will made this comment:

Yet, still, none of England’s top six went on to score a hundred - which is a definate sore point. Frankly, England should tonight only be six wickets in the red, not eleven.

And I tend to agree, yet time will tell. On the Warney front I thought he bowled beautifully and also at the same time was attacked well. His 4 wickets take him to 593, just 6 shy of the magical 600 and he is just one wicket shy of being the first bowler in test history to have taken 100 wickets in a country away from his home country.

Bowled Warney back online

Hi to everyone out there in Warney land, a BIG apology for the silence over the past 2 weeks when all the action has hotted up. This was unavoidable, possibly unforgivable so will do my best to keep you all updated with all things Warney as he creeps towards the 600 wicket mark, after yesterdays amazing 1st day of the 2nd test where he eeked out 4 valuable wickets as England went on the attack.