Warne The Greatest Bowler I Have Ever Seen: Lillee

[LIONS then DAYLIGHT]

Article sourced from www.foxsports.com.au

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Lillee hopes to lose record

By Robert Craddock
December 15, 2005

TEST legend Dennis Lillee has branded Shane Warne the greatest bowler he has seen and has urged him to take his 24-year world record tomorrow.

Warne needs just two wickets to claim Lillee's record for most Test wickets in a calendar year and the mark should fall in tomorrow's first Test against South Africa at the WACA.

Warne has taken a phenomenal 84 wickets for the calendar year, just one short of the mark Lillee set in 1981 in the greatest year ever handed in by an international bowler.

It would seem only a worsening of his lingering back injury will stop Warne from pocketing the milestone this Test and Lillee, president of the West Australian Cricket Association, is relishing the fact he should be there to see it happen.

"It's all his - he deserves it," Lillee said.

"He can come and get it. There isn't a bit of sadness there for me in passing on the record to the greatest bowler we have seen.

"I have always really enjoyed Shane's career and what he has brought to the game.

"We have always got along well and he has had to overcome a lot of setbacks to get where he is. He has had an amazing career and I am really looking forward to being at the WACA when he breaks the record."

Warne, like most Australians of his era, hero-worshipped Lillee as a child and though many statistical milestones are overrated this one speaks volumes for Warne's incredible ability to rise just when opponents feel he is on the wane.

The South Africans, notoriously suspect against leg-spin in general and Warne in particular, have been practising against young leg spinners in the nets without looking convincing.
Perth is Warne's least successful ground in Australia but Bruce Reid, the former Test fast man recruited to help coach Australia's bowlers in this Test, believes the wicket will take more turn that it is renowned for.

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Just confirming what everyone already knows.

Warne = KING

[docker_azza]

Yep, just confirming what everybody knows

He has been an absolute revelation to spin bowling and to cricket altogether.

[YOTC]

How much will a 10fer for Warne at the WACA be?

He has a decent record here for its non spinner friendly reputation and is Casson can take 8 wickets in 2 days, imagine how much Warne can take. :D

[Cooldude]

Just read how Darryl Cullinan said if he had his chance over again, he'd employ the sweep shot to counter Warne

He had no clue how to play Warnie 10 years ago and he still doesn't have a ********ing clue now.

I bet ya he would get out trying to sweep flippers :D

Warne's the greatest there is, stating the obvious

[Partridge]

Just read how Darryl Cullinan said if he had his chance over again, he'd employ the sweep shot to counter Warne

Warne's the greatest there is, stating the obvious

It's strange that. People seem to think the sweep shot alone is the answer, when in reality it's overall ability. If you think of batsmen who have done well against Australia, say Lara, it's because of all shot selection, footwork and placement, not just because he plays the sweep shot. I'd rather a batsmen who gets down the pitch rather than one who waits on the crease.

As for Warne being the greatest ever, well I'm not so sure. Best legspinner I've seen, but I'll reserve judgement on greatest bowler. When you consider the last 25 years includes Dennis Lillee, Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose and Richard Hadlee for starters it's hard to pick one standout. All great players.

[Cooldude]

The secret of playing Warne, or any other great leg spinners for that matter, is to read the length correctly and have the footwork to get to the pitch . Easier said than done of course

Tendulkar was a master of it, Lara, too. Laxman for a period.

Using the sweep shot as your primary weapon against Warnie will always end in tears.

Those are all quicks you mentioned, wrist spin is the hardest art in the game by a considerable margin, Warnie made it look so easy, and has maintained that standard for a longer period than those have. And he has done it in an era where spin was thought to have extincted until he came along.