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It’s impossible to measure Shane Keith Warne’s influence on the game of cricket.

When you consider that his public memorial featured video messages from the likes of Elton John, Ed Sheeran, and Chris Martin, with Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, and Kylie Minogue in attendance, it’s clear that influence extended well beyond the field.

As much as it hurt to be regularly clobbered by the all-conquering Australian side of the late 1990s and early 2000s, you knew you were watching arguably the greatest team to ever play the game.

Warnie was a vital cog in that machine and he never shied away from reminding opposition batters of that fact.

Before his death, he sat down with Sporting News in Melbourne to have a few toots and reminisce about his life both on and off the field.

You can find all six segments of that collection here but let’s focus on the sledging:

Don’t sledge Sachin Tendulker or Brian Lara: write that down. But others who would you let you under the skin? It’s a very different story.

It was never personal, though. Warne reveals the how-to of the dark arts.

Take it away, Warnie:

The most comprehensive documentary on Warne’s life, simply titled Shane, was released in January this year and is currently screening on Amazon Prime.

I would consider it a must-watch for any cricket fan as we come to grips with losing one of the sport’s all-time greats.

[source:sportingnews]