Shane Warne will be missed for many reasons: for his ability to get the ball in the right place just about every time, for his wicket-taking ability and for his ability to strike the fear of God into the opposition. He is undoubtedly the Bradman of the Ball. A match-winner of such abilities that his worth to the Australian team is untold.

Before Warne came onto the scene, leg-spinners were a near-extinct breed. They may have got you a few wickets but they were liable to be loose and very expensive ones. A wicket-taking option which was dicey if runs were at a premium.

It wasn't a fluke that Warne emerged – Australia had only been searching for him for 30 years. A bowler who could spin his side to glory by turning stale draws into Test victories.

Just look at the first series that Warne came into his own. It was the 1992-93 home contest with the West Indies - the last time Australia lost a series on home soil. On the fifth day of the first Test at the Gabba, the West Indies had collapsed to nine for four and defeat looked the likely outcome. Australia, though, didn't have a world-class spinner who could penetrate the West Indians. The match finished in a spiteful draw with the tempers of the Australians well frayed by their inability to finish off the visitors, who ended up with eight wickets down.

Warne was included for the second Test and his presence was really felt as he took seven for 52 on the last day to bowl the Australians to victory. Suddenly Australia had a threat and one who has been threatening batsman for the 14 years since.

Shane is a freak in every sense of the word. With the match on the line, he could bowl unchanged the whole day if you asked him to. In his 100^th Test match in Capetown, he bowled 70 of the 162 overs in the South African second innings. Fittingly, he was at the crease when the winning runs were scored.