Why saddest detail in Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka could be Shane Warne’s spin bowling legacy

Legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne was taken way too soon for all sorts of reasons - but his death didn’t just rob cricket of its greatest leg-spinner. And a sad reminder will resurface on Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka.

The sad thing about Australia’s Test series in Sri Lanka is that the first time an Australian leg-spinner steals the spotlight will be when it’s all over.

On the presentation dais after the second and last Test in Galle, controversial spin bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan will present the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy to the winning captain, who will hopefully speak about the world’s collective lament that master leg-spinner Shane Warne was taken way too soon for all sorts of reasons.

Warne’s death in March, 2022, robbed cricket not just of its greatest leg-spinner but the greatest salesman for the enchanting craft of wrist spin.

Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan shake hands at the unveiling the new Warne-Muralidaran Trophy. Picture: AAP

A day barely went past without Warne spruiking his craft or the virtues of some up and comer who he insisted the selectors should pick in a hurry.

He helped keep his trade alive. But it’s struggling now.

It would sadden Warne that it is highly unlikely there will be any leg-spin bowler featuring in the Australian XI in the two Test series in Galle, the venue where he had one of the greatest slow bowling shootouts of all time with his great rival Muralitharan.

The five-day slow bowling extravaganza came in March 2004 when Warne had just returned from his one-year drug ban.

Legendary Australian spin bowler Shane Warne. Picture: AAP

Muralitharan stole the show early with a six-wicket first innings haul, then Warne struck back with five, then Murali claimed five but Warne had the last laugh by opening the bowling in the second innings with Jason Gillespie and taking another five wickets that gave Australia a 197-run victory.

The well is running low again with Mitchell Swepson, a Warne favourite, struggling to stay in the reckoning. Adam Zampa was fleetingly considered for this tour but that thought has faded and promising Tanveer Sangha seeming to need more time.

Before Warne was blooded in Test cricket Australian selector Jim Higgs told fellow selectors “we really need to get this kid on television to get people thinking about leg spin again”.

Australia has reached that stage again. The production line has slowed to a trickle.

Australia's Mitchell Swepson (R) was a favourite of Warne’s. Picture: AFP

When Warne exploded to prominence after bowling the ball of the century to Mike Gatting in 1993 at Manchester his coach Terry Jenner said “Warne will prompt thousands of kids to take up leg spin but you may not get a single Test leggie out of all them because the craft is so hard. Many of them just get chewed up at the lower levels of the game’’.

How true he was.

Australia used to have a very informative and productive spin bowlers week where Jenner would start and young spinners around the nation would get together and be tutored and encouraged. They need more direct encouragement like that.

Australia has produced four great leg-spinners – Bill O’Reilly, Clarrie Grimmett, Richie Benaud and Warne – and history tells us they normally come along at the rate of one every 20 years.

It’s 18 years this week since Warne played his last Test. The clock is ticking. Fingers are crossed.

Originally published as Why saddest detail in Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka could be Shane Warne’s spin bowling legacy