This is the best I've bowled in India, says Warne
Shane Warne goes past Muttiah Muralitharan as Test cricket's highest wicket-taker
04-Jul-2005
When Irfan Pathan tickled one through to Matthew Hayden midway through the morning session, Shane Warne went past Muttiah Muralitharan as Test cricket's highest wicket-taker. With a bowling average above 50 against India, Warne has much to prove, but he was relieved with his display today, and he spoke about the record, Australia's chances, and surmounting hurdles - some of his own making:
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On going past Murali as Test cricket's highest wicket-taker
I'm obviously proud of that achievement. It's been a few years since I made my debut against India in Sydney, and back then I was happy to get one wicket, forget 500. It's something to tell the grandchildren.
I'm obviously proud of that achievement. It's been a few years since I made my debut against India in Sydney, and back then I was happy to get one wicket, forget 500. It's something to tell the grandchildren.
On the day's play
We toiled hard, created a lot of chances, even took a wicket off a no-ball. I think it's the best I've ever bowled in India. I troubled all their batsmen, and there were a few chances that didn't go to hand. If I continue to bowl like that, hopefully I can play a big part in this series.
We toiled hard, created a lot of chances, even took a wicket off a no-ball. I think it's the best I've ever bowled in India. I troubled all their batsmen, and there were a few chances that didn't go to hand. If I continue to bowl like that, hopefully I can play a big part in this series.
On the dropped catches, and whether the conditions might have contributed
None were really easy. We're usually renowned for turning games by taking such chances, but not one stuck today. To mention heat and humidity would be an excuse. Hopefully, this won't happen again during the rest of the series.
None were really easy. We're usually renowned for turning games by taking such chances, but not one stuck today. To mention heat and humidity would be an excuse. Hopefully, this won't happen again during the rest of the series.
On Australia's chances of winning the match
If we can make what India make in their first innings when we bat, I think it'll be a great game. We're going to fight back.
If we can make what India make in their first innings when we bat, I think it'll be a great game. We're going to fight back.
On the prospect of Murali taking back the record
Let me just bathe in it for a while, OK [laughs]? Look, Murali will probably end up with 1000 wickets. But whether I hold the record for two weeks or a month, it can't be taken away from me. It's something to hang your hat on.
Let me just bathe in it for a while, OK [laughs]? Look, Murali will probably end up with 1000 wickets. But whether I hold the record for two weeks or a month, it can't be taken away from me. It's something to hang your hat on.
On when he plans to call it quits
I don't want to stop yet. The key thing is enjoyment. I've retired from one-day cricket, but I think I can play Tests for a while yet. You have guys like Anil Kumble, Harbhajan [Singh], Murali and Saqlain [Mushtaq] who have shown that spinner can play both forms of the game. They've proved that the guys who reckoned that there wasn't even a place for spinners in first-class cricket didn't have any idea what they were on about.
I don't want to stop yet. The key thing is enjoyment. I've retired from one-day cricket, but I think I can play Tests for a while yet. You have guys like Anil Kumble, Harbhajan [Singh], Murali and Saqlain [Mushtaq] who have shown that spinner can play both forms of the game. They've proved that the guys who reckoned that there wasn't even a place for spinners in first-class cricket didn't have any idea what they were on about.
On the response from his opponents and team-mates
Rahul Dravid came in and shook my hand even before he'd faced a ball. I thought that was a great moment, and it said a lot about the spirit in which this series is being played. Sehwag shook my hand too, and Kumble and Yuvraj (Singh) came in to the room later. Also John Wright. I'd like to thank all those guys. My team-mates? Well, you could see that they were really happy for me.
Rahul Dravid came in and shook my hand even before he'd faced a ball. I thought that was a great moment, and it said a lot about the spirit in which this series is being played. Sehwag shook my hand too, and Kumble and Yuvraj (Singh) came in to the room later. Also John Wright. I'd like to thank all those guys. My team-mates? Well, you could see that they were really happy for me.
On the extra aggression when he bowled to Sehwag
I wanted his wicket [smiles]. He was the man to get today the way he was smacking us across the park. He has an eye like a dead fish [laughs]. If you bowl anything half-loose, he'll smack it. It's great entertainment. He got away with a few as well. But he was just too good for us today. Hopefully in the second innings, we'll be too good for him.
I wanted his wicket [smiles]. He was the man to get today the way he was smacking us across the park. He has an eye like a dead fish [laughs]. If you bowl anything half-loose, he'll smack it. It's great entertainment. He got away with a few as well. But he was just too good for us today. Hopefully in the second innings, we'll be too good for him.
On how he's soldiered on despite several rough patches
Oh look, I've had some great times too. Been really lucky to do something I really enjoy - not many people get that chance. I've made a few bad choices, and I've learnt my lessons. I'm 35 years old now, got three kids. It's great that my wife is here to see me go past the record. But if we lose this game, the world record itself will be a bit of a downer.
Oh look, I've had some great times too. Been really lucky to do something I really enjoy - not many people get that chance. I've made a few bad choices, and I've learnt my lessons. I'm 35 years old now, got three kids. It's great that my wife is here to see me go past the record. But if we lose this game, the world record itself will be a bit of a downer.
On how he accounts for his comparatively poor record against India, given his outstanding figures against other subcontinental teams
I've been inconsistent against India, mainly when I've been over here. The first two times I came here, I was carrying injuries - the shoulder the first time and trouble with my spinning finger on the last tour. But I also think they play me really well. I just hope I can carry on like I bowled today and cause them a few more hassles.
I've been inconsistent against India, mainly when I've been over here. The first two times I came here, I was carrying injuries - the shoulder the first time and trouble with my spinning finger on the last tour. But I also think they play me really well. I just hope I can carry on like I bowled today and cause them a few more hassles.