A legendary selection

Last year Shane Warne listed the best 50 cricketers he had played with. Some of his old Victorian team-mates have been downgraded since then, when Warne was accused of picking favourites. On the other hand Merv Hughes is at 18, ahead of Steve Waugh, Kapil Dev and Kevin Pietersen.

Otherwise there are not many surprises: 2005 ashes excuses, check; Paul Collingwood swipe, check; English system rubbished, check; gentle backhanders to old enemies like Ranatunga and Ganguly, check.

Warne uses anecdotes to explain his choices but many are well-known - almost all of the chapter on Mike Gatting is about 'that ball'. Better are the insights on the likes of John Wright and Carl Hooper because they are fresh. And there is Brian McMillan storming the Australian dressing room with a gun.

Overall the book has the feel of dictation and much of it might be best heard late after a few drinks. It might have been better as a coffee table flick-through with each player pictured. But if you want to spend a few hours with Warney telling you stories about friends and foes, then here you go.

Shane Warne's Century: My Top 100 Test Cricketers
by Shane Warne; foreword by Michael Parkinson
Mainstream Publishing £17.99